BMS2021: Biochemistry in Human Function

• Convenor: Dr Alfons Lawen 
• Monash Handbook
• 6 points

Synopsis

This subject covers the biochemical principles of cellular metabolic regulation, metabolic interrelationship of tissues, biochemical events associated with the fed and fasted states, the generation of metabolic energy by oxidation of macronutrients including the role and formation of mitochondria in cellular bioenergetics. It discusses hormone action and the biochemical basis of diabetes and gives an overview of brain metabolism. It covers the biochemical mechanism of cell growth, differentiation and death. It gives an introduction to molecular medicine based on the specialised tissue metabolism of blood and brain cells.

Objectives

On completion of this subject students should understand:

• how energy and nutrients are supplied to the cells and how enzymes control metabolism
• the mechanism by which cells communicate to coordinate cell growth, differentiation and metabolism
• the control mechanism involved in hormone secretion and the biochemical basis of diabetes
• the concept of regulation of cell death and its role in normal development and in response to cellular trauma
• how blood and brain cells are formed and the mechanisms by which primitive blood cells differentiate into mature cells

Lecturing Staff

Dr Alfons Lawen	Dr Marie-Paule Van Damme	Dr Janet Macaulay
A/Prof Tim Cole	Prof Crhistina Mitchell	Prof Phillip Nagley

ASSESSMENT

Assessment of BMS2021 will be based on a mid semester test and one examination held at the end of semester. The small group teaching work in each semester will also be assessed.

• Mid-semester Test - Examination of 45 minutes duration, consisting of multi-choice questions. Worth 10% of total marks.
• Examination Paper - Examination of three hours duration, consisting of multichoice questions and essay questions. Worth 60% of total marks.
• Small group teaching - Tutors’ weekly assessment based on individual completion of set projects and answers to MCQs on Blackboard. Worth 30% of total marks.

Occasionally, work that you believe has been submitted does not reach the marker, despite the care taken by the University in handling students' work. You must therefore always keep a disk copy or photocopy of any assignment you submit, to guard against the rare event of your work going astray. If you are not able to provide a copy within 24 hours on request, it will be assumed that the work was not handed in.