| 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. 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. Comparison of monogastric and ruminant metabolism. 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. Toxic responses: tissue damage and physiological effects, teratogenesis, immunotoxicity, mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. Examples of toxins: biochemical mechanisms of common toxins and their antidotes. Antibiotics and resistance. Natural toxins from fungi, plants and animals: goitrogens, cyanogens, cholineesterase inhibitors, ergotoxin, aflatoxins Practical training in analyses of nutrients, fatty acids separations, antioxidant determination, and enzyme activity measurements, PO ratio of mitochondria, electrophoresis, extraction, solubility and gel permeation techniques. |
| Module credits | 12.00 |
| Programmes |
BDietetics Dietetics
BSc Biochemistry BSc Biological Sciences BSc Biotechnology BSc Chemistry BSc Ecology BSc Entomology BSc Food Management (4 years) BSc Food Science BSc Genetics BSc Geology BSc Human Genetics BSc Human Physiology BSc Human Physiology, Genetics and Psychology BSc Medical Sciences BSc Microbiology BSc Nutrition BSc Physics BSc Plant Science BSc Zoology BScAgric Animal Science BScAgric Animal Science: Pasture Science BScAgric Food Science and Technology |
| Service modules | Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Prerequisites | [CMY117 GS] and [CMY127 GS] and [MLB111 GS] |
| Contact time | 90 minute practical per week, 2 lectures per week |
| Language of tuition | Double Medium |
| Academic organisation | Biochemistry |
| Period of presentation | Semester 2 |
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