| Module code | BCM 262 |
| Qualification | Undergraduate |
| Faculty | Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences |
| Module content | Biochemistry of nutrition and toxicology. Proximate analysis of nutrients. Review of energy requirements and expenditure, starvation, marasmus and kwashiorkor. Respiratory quotient. Requirements and function of water, vitamins and minerals. Interpretation and modification of RDA values for specific diets, eg growth, exercise, pregnancy and lactation, aging and starvation. Interactions between nutrients. Cholesterol, polyunsaturated, essential fatty acids and dietary anti-oxidants. Oxidation of fats. Biochemical mechanisms of water- and fat-soluble vitamins and assessment of vitamin status. Mineral requirements, biochemical mechanisms, imbalances and diarrhoea. Biochemistry of xenobiotics: absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME); detoxification reactions: oxidation/reduction (Phase I), conjugations (Phase II), export from cells (Phase III); factors affecting metabolism and disposition. Examples of genetic abnormalities, phenotypes and frequencies. Examples of toxins: biochemical mechanisms of common toxins and their antidotes. Natural toxins from fungi, plants and animals: goitrogens, cyanogens, cholineesterase inhibitors, ergotoxin, aflatoxins Practical training in scientific writing skills: evaluating scientific findings. Introduction to practical techniques in nutrition and toxicology. Experimental design and calculations in experiments: determining nutritional value of metabolites and studying the ADME of toxins. |
| Module credits | 12.00 |
| Programmes | |
| Service modules | Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Prerequisites | CMY 117 GS and CMY 127 GS and MLB 111 GS |
| Contact time | 1 tutorial per week, 2 lectures per week |
| Language of tuition | Module is presented in English |
| Department | Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology |
| Period of presentation | Semester 2 |
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