Biochemistry

BIO1027

Biochemistry studies chemical reactions in living organisms. The course comprises ezymology, metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides, as well as regulation of metabolism on cellular and organism levels.

Enzymology (enzyme structure, function and reaction mechanisms, coenzymes, enzyme kinetics, regulation of enzyme activity), Bioenergetics, Metabolic regulation, Carbohydrate metabolism (glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, pentose phosphate pathway, gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis and glycogenesis), Photosynthesis, Lipid metabolism (lipid structure, fatty acid oxidation, fatty acid synthesis, biosynthesis of triacylglycerols and phospholipids, metabolism of eicosanoids, cholesterol metabolism, lipoprotein metabolism, synthesis and utilization of ketone bodies, synthesis of steroid hormones, bile acids, vitamin D), Amino acid synthesis and degradation, Nucleotide synthesis and degradation, Urea cycle, Molecular physiology (digestion, liver, blood, kidneys and acid-base balance, muscle, bone, nervous system).

Mandatory for students in the programme Joint Bachelor in Animal Science.

Elective for other programmes and students.

This course has prerequisites; KJE1000 Basic chemistry or KJE1002 Principles of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry or equivalent cours(es).

Knowledge

The student:

has basic knowledge of enzymes, their kinetics and coenzymes.
has basic knowledge of carbohydrate metabolism, respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
has basic knowledge of lipid, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism.
has basic knowledge of metabolic regulation on cellular and organism level.
knows how to update their knowledge in biochemistry.

Skills

The student must:

be able to apply relevant theoretical knowledge to carry out simple laboratory exercises in basic biochemistry.
be able to reflect, under supervision, on their observations obtained after performing basic biochemistry methods and techniques.
be able to comply with the instructions for HSE in the laboratory.

General competence

The student must:

have basic understanding of metabolism and molecular physiology.
have knowledge and understanding of the risks involved in working in a biochemistry laboratory.
be able to communicate results and theories in written form, promoting good practice.

No tuition fees. Semester fees and cost of course literature apply.

Compulsory: Joint Bachelor in Animal Science.

Elective in other study programmes.

Lectures, seminars, group assignments, lab exercises and lab reports, multiple choice test.

Evaluation using mid-term and final surveys. Students are also encouraged to participate in the central national surveys.

Compound assessment:

Written school exam (SK): 100 % of the grade, 4 hours, Norwegian grades A - F.

Assessment task (AK): Approved / not approved.

Compulsory attendance (OD): Laboratory exercises, approved / not approved.

Laptop, pen and ruler.

Generating answers using artificial intelligence and submitting them wholly or partially as one’s own response is considered cheating.

BIO1025 Cell biology or BIO1018 Essential cell biology and biochemistry.

Overlap refers to a similarity between courses with the same content. Therefore, you will receive the following reduction in credits if you have taken the courses listed below:

BIO1018 - Essential Cell Biology and Biochemistry - 2.5 credits

Course language

English

Credits

7.5

Study location

Bodø

Teaching semesters

Autumn 2026

Responsible faculty

Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture

Course coordinator

Professor

Monica Fengsrud Brinchmann

monica.f.brinchmann@nord.no