Learning objectives
The course provides to students the knowledge on the principles, molecules, macromolecules, interactions, metabolism and regulation of the cell with the aim of understanding the fundamental mechanisms of living systems.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of general and organic chemistry are required
Course unit content
Principles of living organisms.
Molecular and macromolecular components of cells.
Bond and intra and inter molecular interactions.
Structure, dynamics and function relationships of proteins.
Antibodies.
Myoglobin and hemoglobin.
Allostery and allosteric models.
Enzymes and coenzymes.
Mechanisms of catalysis, inhibition and regulation.
Lipids and biological membranes.
Carbohydrates.
Principles of metabolism and bioenergetics.
Glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathways, gluconeogenesis, hormone regulation of degradation and synthesis of glycogen.
Degradation of and synthesis of fatty acids.
Ketone bodies.
Synthesis and degradation of the heme.
Krebs cycle.
Oxidative phosphorylation, ATP synthesis and photosynthesis.
Degradation and synthesis of amino acids, urea cycle.
Degradation and synthesis of purine and pyrimidine bases.
Organ metabolism
The Genetic information: nucleic acids, DNA, RNA
Structural and functional organization of the eukaryotic genome.
The eukaryotic gene and its regulation
Manipulation of mammalian genome: basic principles and technique
Full programme
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Bibliography
Nelson, Cox. "Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry ", Zanichelli, Bologna
BERG, TYMOCZKO, STRYER “Biochemistry”, Ed. Zanichelli, Bologna
MATHEWS, VAN HOLDE, AHREN “Biochemistry”, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano
DEVLIN “Biochemistry”, Ed. EdiSES, Napoli
APPLING, ANTHONY-CAHILL, MATHEWS “Biochimica”, Pearson
Teaching methods
The course is carried out with a series of lectures with visual means and the involvement of students in order to assess the knowledge and the understanding of different topics.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of the preparation of the student requires a written exam.The student will have to answer 4 questions regarding the course content. It will be ascertained whether the student has achieved the objective of knowledge and understanding of the contents, and the ability to critically analyse the acquired knowledge. Special support is provided for students diagnosed with specific learning disorders certified in accordance with law 170/2010.
Other information
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