BBE2105 Thermodynamics
Course description
Course objectives
Bioenergetics and thermodynamics
1. State the laws of thermodynamics and relationships to free energy of reactions
2. Describe how chemical reactions are coupled in the cell
3. Discuss how ATP is generated in the cell (oxidative phosphorylation and the chemiosmotic
hypothesis)
Course Content
 Definitions; how living thing generate, transform and utilize energy; exergonic & endergonic
reaction, catabolic & anabolic reaction, ability of cells to harness and transform energy from
various sources.
 Coupling of reactions/energy in biological systems.
 Definition of thermodynamics, the universe, system & surrounding.
 Types of thermodynamic systems: open, close and isolated, laws of thermodynamics 1st, 2nd
and 3rd, exothermic endothermic and isothermal reactions.
 Enthalpy (H), Entropy(S), and Gibbs free energy (G); Free energy change (∆G), Standard free
energy change (∆Go) and Standard free energy change at pH 7.0 (∆Go’).
 Relation between ∆G and Keq. Relation between free energy of activation and enzyme
catalysis.
 Redox reactions definitions and examples, redox-pairs/conjugate redox-pairs, reduction
potentials (E), change in reduction potentials (∆E) standard reduction potential (Eo), and
change in standard reduction potential (∆Eo) and change in standard reduction potential at pH
7.0 (∆Eo’).
 Redox-couples in the mitochondrial electron transport system and ATP generation, oxidative
phosphorylation & substrate levels phosphorylation.
 Inhibitors of the electron mitochondrial electron transport system, action of ionophores and
uncouplers.
Methods of delivery
Modes of Assessment
Reference materials
Requirements
Hours per Semester
LH
45
PH
00
TH
30
CH
60
Weighted
Total Mark
Weighted
Exam Mark
WTM
100
WEM
60
Weighted
Continuous
Assessment Mark
WCM
40
Credit
Units
CU
4