• To comprehend how energy conversion in nature occurs and how energy is stored and made available by building up concentration gradients across membranes.
• To introduce from a physical chemistry point of view photosynthesis, respiration, ATP synthesis, Calvin cycle, citrate cycle, glycolysis and fermentation.
• To show the mechanisms behind active transport, nerve signalling, the K/Na pump, muscle contraction and molecular motors.

(LO1) Students will be able to show a comprehension of energy conversion processes found in nature

(LO2) Students will be able to describe the important points relating to chemical processes in photosynthesis respiration, ATP synthesis, the Calvin cycle, the citrate cycle and fermentation

(LO3) Student will be able to describe the significance of concentration gradients across membranes in biological systems.

(LO4) Students will be able to discuss the mechanisms behind active transport, nerve signalling, the K/Na pump, muscle contraction and molecular motors

Lectures. 15 x 1 hr online lectures.

Coursework. One set of assignment problems of the type discussed in tutorials, which will approximately take 90 mins to complete.

Tutorials. 2 x 2 hr in-person tutorials to support the lecture material.

*Lectures: 15 hr
*Tutorials: 4 hr

Energy conversion in nature ultimately leads to storage of energy in the form of concentration gradients across membranes. This is conceptually difficult for students to comprehend and will be treated in great detail. Based on this understanding, processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, ATP synthesis, the Calvin cycle, the citrate cycle, fermentation, active transport, nerve signalling, the K/Na pump, muscle contraction and molecular motors will be contextualised. Particular emphasis will be on photosynthesis as the key process responsible for the accumulation of fossil fuels.