Relation to Syllabus

The information presented on this page is designed to be used by teachers to show the links between the material in this trail and the NSW HSC Chemistry (Stage 6) Syllabus. Relevant excerpts of the Syllabus are shown on this page and a copy of the full Syllabus may be downloaded from the Board of Studies website in PDF format. Additionally, teachers are advised to take note of the Board Bulletins as they contain up-to-the-minute important information.

9.7 Option - The Biochemistry of Movement

Contextual Outline

Modern athletes are more aware of diet than previous generations, because more is known about the chemistry of the substances in their diet. A increased understanding of the nature of the biochemical reactions involved in muscular contraction leads to a better and more informed selection of foods.

Biochemists interested in sports performance will continue to seek natural methods of improving performance by paying close attention to the chains of enzyme catalysed reactions occurring in the cytosol of the cell as well as within the mitochondria. This module provides an overview of the two extremes of exercise and allows discussion of possible directions of further research.

4. Proteins are used as both structural molecules and as enzymes to catalyse metabolic reactions.

Students learn to:

describe the composition and general formula for amino acids
identify the major functional groups in an amino acid
outline the nature of a peptide bond and, using a specific example, describe the chemistry involved the formation of a peptide bond
explain, using a named example, the relationship between the chemical features of a protein and its shape using appropriate diagrams or models
account for the shape of a protein molecule in terms of
- electrostatic forces
- hydrogen bonding forces
- hydrophobic forces
- disulfide bonds
account for the process of protein denaturation
identify enzymes as a special class of proteins with a binding site that is substrate specific
using a named example of an enzyme, explain why the enzyme's binding site is substrate specific

Students:

process information from secondary sources to draw the generalised structural formula for an amino acid
perform first-hand investigations to observe a characteristic test for proteins
solve problems, identify data, plan, choose equipment and perform first-hand investigations to observe the effect of changes in pH and temperature on a named enzyme reaction and use the available evidence to relate this to changes in the primary, secondary and/or tertiary structure of the enzyme involved
process and analyse information from secondary sources to discuss the use of models in the development of understanding of enzyme function
use available evidence to relate the need to maintain protein stability to physiological processes that remove excess heat and hydrogen ions from active muscle tissue

All Syllabus extracts Copyright © Board of Studies NSW 1999 and provided here as a courtesy to teachers by the Key Centre for Polymer Colloids without warranty or claim of ownership. Teachers, students or anyone using this information for decision-making purposes should refer to the original documents presented by the Board of Studies NSW.

Please note that the Board of Studies NSW also releases Board Bulletins containing additional important information. Users are strongly advised to take note of these Bulletins.