COVENANT UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
PROGRAMME: BIOCHEMISTRY
COURSE CODE:
COURSE TITLE:
UNITS:
SEMESTER/ SESSION:
COURSE COMPACT
BCH 316
METABOLISM OF NUCLEIC ACIDS
2
ALPHA, 2013/2014
COURSE LECTURERS: *Mrs. W.O. Iyanda-Joel and #Mr.O.S ADEGBITE
*Course Coordinator
TIME:
TUESDAYS 2-4 PM
LOCATION:
HALL 204
A.
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COURSE
The focus of this course is on the catabolism and anabolism of nucleic acids and their respective
monomers (nucleosides and nucleotides). Successful study comprise of having a good understanding
of the isolation, characterization and structure of nucleic acids. Further emphasis is placed on the role
of nucleic acids in biosynthesis of proteins. It also examines the regulatory mechanisms and various
abnormalities associated with nucleic acid metabolism.
B.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of this course, the students are expected to:
 Perfectly understand the isolation, characterization and structure of nucleic acids.
 Have a firm grasp of the biosynthetic pathways of nucleic acids.
 Practically appreciate the importance of nucleotide degradation/biosynthesis in living cells.
 Master the clinical disorders for nucleotide metabolism for future remedies.
 Know how nucleotide metabolism is regulated.
 Explain the biological and medical importance of nucleotide analogs.
C.
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METHODS OF LECTURE DELIVERY AND TEACHING AIDS
Guided instructions
Interactive class room session
Multimedia
Diagrams
Laboratory practical
D.
COURSE OUTLINE
*Module 1 Isolation, characterization, function of nucleic acids and protein synthesis
Week 1
Occurrence and isolation of nucleic acids
Week 2
Classification and review of nucleic acids structure
Week 3
Role of nucleic acids in protein biosynrthesis
#Module 2
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Degradation of purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis
Nucleic acid degradation and its importance
Complete degradation of purine nucleotides
Complete degradation of pyrimidine nucleotides
Mid-Semester Test
*Module 3
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Biosynthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides
De novo biosynthesis of purine nucleotides and its control
De novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides and its control
Synthesis of ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides
#Module 4
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Regulation of nucleic acid and metabolism and related disorders
Regulation of nucleic acid metabolism
Abnormalities in nucleic acid metabolism
Anticancer drugs and their effects on the synthesis of DNA
Tutorials
Revision and evaluation
E.
i.
ii.
TUTORIALS
Isolation of Nucleic acids and regulation of metabolism
Biosynthesis and degradation of Nucleic acids
F.
1.
(i)
(ii)
2.
STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME/ METHOD OF GRADING
Continuous Assessment
30 Marks
Test 1/ Test 2
15 Marks
Mid-Semester Test
15 Marks
Semester Examination
70 Marks
G.
GROUND RULES AND REGULATIONS
The following ground rules and observations shall be observed:

Mandatory 75% class attendance.

No eating or dozing in the classroom or laboratory.

Active participation in all activities.

All class assignments must be submitted on time

Punctuality to classes must be observed
H.
TOPICS FOR TERM PAPERS/ ASSIGNMENTS
(i)
Methods of isolating DNA and RNA from plant and animal sources
(ii)
Structure of Nucleic acids
(iii)
Discuss the central dogma of molecular biology
(iv)
Comprehensive essay on de novo pathway of purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis
(v)
Comprehensive essay on salvage pathway of purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis
(vi)
Write extensively on the complete degradation of purine nucleotide
(vii)
Regulatory/Control points in Nucleic acids metabolism
(viii)
Disorders associated with purine degradation
H.
ALIGNMENT WITH UNIVERSITY VISION AND GOALS
This course will build capacity in the aspect of equipping students with adequate skills in basic
biochemistry, which is vital for application in research projects
I.
INDUSTRIAL RELEVANCE
Knowledge garnered from this course shall be relevant in the medical, food, biotechnology and
agricultural industries.
J.
1.
2.
3.
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5.
RECOMMENDED READING
Lehninger, A. Principles of Biochemistry (5th edition)
Horton H. A. et al. Principles of Biochemistry (4th edition)
Stryer, L. Biochemistry (4th edition).
Campbell,M.K and Farrell,S.O. Biochemistry (6th Edition)
Russell et al. Biology, the dynamic science (ISE).