COVENANT UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
PROGRAMME:
BIOCHEMISTRY
COURSE CODE:
BCH 222
COURSE TITLE:
General Aspects of Metabolism
UNITS:
3
SEMESTER / SESSION:
COURSE LECTURERS:
OMEGA, 20011/20012
*Dr. O.O. Ogunlana,
Dr. O.E. Omotosho
Mrs. O. A. Rotimi
TIME:
LOCATION:
* Course Coordinator
A.
According to the time table
According to the time table
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COURSE:
This is an introductory course on intermediary metabolism. The emphasis is on the flow of
matter between different forms of living organisms. It aims to examine the Carbon-Oxygen
Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, Anabolic, Catabolic and Amphibolic pathways.
B.
COURSE OBJECTIVES / GOALS:
At the end of this course, the students are expected to:
C.

Explain the significance of the flow of matter and energy.

Describe the processes involved in the Carbon-Oxygen Cycle

Discuss the implications of the Nitrogen Cycle to living organisms.

Describe two important anabolic pathways.

Explain the major purposes of the catabolic pathways.

Describe the Amphibolic pathways

Integrate the different aspect of intermediary metabolism.

Describe the experimental methods in intermediary metabolism.
METHODS OF LECTURE DELIVERY /TEACHING AIDS
Lecture Delivery and Teaching Aids include:
D.

Guided instructions

Interactive classroom session

Transparencies/ Multimedia.

Diagrams
COURSE OUTLINE
Mrs. O.A. Rotimi
Module 1
Caron-Oxygen cycle in living organisms
Week 1
Outline of Carbon-Oxygen cycle
Week2
Photosynthesis (Inorganic to organic carbon)
Week 3
Autotroughs and Heterotroughs
Week 4
Biodegradation of organic matter (Bacteria and Fungi)
Dr. O.E. Omotosho
Module 2
Nitrogen Cycle and Metabolism
Week 5
Overview of the Nitrogen Cycle
Week 6
Enzymatic mechanism of Nitrogen cycle
Week 7
Metabolism of Nitrogen-containing compounds (Proteins and
Nucleic acids)
Dr. O.O. Ogunlana
Module 3
Metabolic Pathways and Intermediary Metabolism
Week 8
Anabolic, Catabolic & Amphibolic pathways
Week 9
Intermediary metabolism
Week 10
Integration of anabolic, catabolic and Amphibolic pathways
Dr. O.O. Ogunlana
Module 4
Metabolic Control Mechanisms
Week 11
Metabolic Control Mechanisms
Week 12
Hormonal regulation of fuel metabolism
Week 13
Experimental studies on Intermediary metabolism
Week 14
E.
Revision and evaluation
TUTORIALS
The students shall be encouraged to organize tutorial classes within the semester for the
course.
F.
STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME/ METHOD OF GRADING
1.
Continuous Assessment
30 Marks
(1)
Test 1
10 Marks
(2)
Mid-Term Test
20 Marks
2.
Semester Examination
70 Marks
G
GROUND RULES AND REGULATIONS
Please note the following:
H.

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.

Make up test shall only be organized at the lecturer discretion
TOPICS FOR TERM PAPERS/ASSIGNMENTS
(i)
Discuss the exchange of carbon and oxygen between the plant and animal worlds.
(ii)
Outline the Carbon-Oxygen Cycle and emphasize the role of decomposers of dead
plant and animal matter.
(iii)
Explain the role of Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the Nitrogen Cycle.
(iv)
Explain the enzymatic mechanism of Nitrogen fixation.
(v)
Describe the process for converting inorganic Nitrogen into such organic compounds
as amino acids and nucleic acids.
(vi)
With suitable examples, describe the anabolic, Catabolic and Amphibolic processes.
(vii)
Explain the different aspects of intermediary metabolism.
I.
ALIGNMENT WITH UNIVERSITY VISION AND GOALS
The patterns of lectures shall be made to focus on fulfilling the vision and goals of Covenant
University which is towards building a new generation of leaders that will restore the dignity of
black man. This will be achieved by the following ways;

Every class shall start with prayer session.

Possibility mentality and capacity building are ensured by solving grey areas in class and
by relating the course to the industry.

Students shall be made to adhere strictly the stipulated ground rules and regulations of the
course.
J.
INDUSTRIAL RELEVANCE
This course finds relevance in all aspect of life sciences. It is a core course to the
understanding the basis and rudiment of Biochemistry. It helps to understand the link
between inorganic and organic compounds and their overall effect on life. It also helps to
understand the study of drugs and other metabolites as they affect life.
K.
RECOMMENDED READING
1. Stryer L. Biochemistry (1995); 4th ed., New York: WH Freeman.
2. Lehninger A.L. et al. Principles of Biochemistry (2005); 4th ed., New York: Worth
Publisher Inc.
3. Horton H. A. et al. Principles of Biochemistry (2001); 3rd ed., Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall.
4. Mathew C.K. et al., Biochemistry (2000) 3rd ed., Sam Francisco: Benjamin Cummings.
5. Murray R.K. et al., Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry (2003) 26th ed., New York:
McGraw Hill Companies Inc.