This unit covers the molecular principles of cellular metabolic regulation, metabolic interrelationship of tissues, molecular events associated with the fed and fasted states, and the generation of metabolic energy by oxidation of macronutrients.

It discusses hormone action and the molecular and cellular basis of diseases, and gives an overview of tissue metabolism.

The autonomic control of energy, exercise and metabolism, and how drugs can modulate these processes will be considered and discussed.

The unit will also cover the molecular mechanism of cell growth, differentiation and death, and introduces the basic principles of developmental biology covering cell fate, pattern formation and tissue morphogenesis during embryonic life.