https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/AB_1137The general aim of this course is to generate a basic, molecular, understanding of essential components, mechanisms, forces and processes that support cellular function, as a basis for later courses in molecular life sciences. After taking this course, the student can:Identify important biochemical building blocks and how they are assembled into macromolecules.Describe the forces and interactions that determine the structure and composition of biological macromolecules.Explain what determines the direction of a biochemical reaction, how enzymes work, how enzymes are regulated and which role membranes have in cells.Explain how macromolecules function in networks within living cells and how they cooperate in order to execute important life processes, with particular attention for cellular energetics and the concepts, coherence and regulation of metabolic processes in a human cell.Apply mathematical techniques as learned in secondary school to solve biochemical problems.Use simple mathematical models of biochemical processes and explain the relevance of the outcome.Apply various biochemical and biophysical techniques with attention for biological and chemical safety rules.Setup a biochemical experiment, keep record of the results, analyze them and present them in a written report.During the course, the following topics will be covered:The concept of Gibbs energy and changes in Gibbs energy during reactions and interactions of molecules.Biological macromolecules and the building blocks they are composed of, with particular attention for proteins.The most important roles of proteins, in particular catalysis and its regulation.The structure of biological membranes and relevant transport processes across them.The concepts of catabolism and coupled energy transformations.The quantitative analysis of cellular processes and the required mathematical tools.The following learning pathways are incorporated into this course:Academic skillsMathematic skillsBioinformatic skillsLectures: 32 hours. Tutorials: 14 hours. Practical: 22 hours. Self study: 100 hours. This course is taught using the "flipped classroom" concept. This means that students need to study the available material (on Canvas) first, before coming to the lecture on the respective topic. The lectures will have an interactive format focussed on answering questions, applyingknowledge and solving problems.The grade for this course is composed out of three parts: one grade for knowledge and understanding of theory tested in a digital exam (50%), one grade for the application of mathematics to solve biochemical problems tested in a written (paper) exam (20%), and one grade for the practicals, based on a written report (30%). Explanatory notes:The grade for the practicals is based on the written report, provided that the student has actively participated during the practical training. In the case of an insufficient grade, the report can be corrected one time based on the feedback provided. The grade for a corrected report cannot exceed 6.0.In order to pass the course, sufficient grades (5.5 or higher) must be obtained for all three parts of the course.Marks' BASIC Medical Biochemistry, A clinical approach, 5th or 6th edition, Michael Lieberman & Alisa Peet, Wolters Kluwer USA, ISBN-13: 978-1-4963-8772-1, ISBN-10: 1-4963-8772-4Compulsory course for first-year BSc Biomedical Sciences students.You need to register yourself for the course via VUnet, including lectures and (partial) exam(s). The faculty will register you for all remaining teaching methods. Please note that if one of the grades is insufficient, you need to register for the resit exam in order to obtain your new course grade, even if it is the report of the practicals that was insufficient.Presence and preparation are compulsory for tutorials and practicals. During laboratory practicals, wearing a lab coat is obligatory.