Learning objectives
Upon completion of the course, the student should acquire knowledge of the structures and functions of major biological molecules.
The student should know the transformations that these molecules undergo, with special reference to the main metabolic pathways and their regulation through hormonal control.
metabolic pathways and their regulation through hormonal control.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Structure and function of major biological molecules. Monosaccharides, lipids and proteins. Myoglobin, hemoglobin and oxygen transport. Enzymes, catalysis and inhibition. Cofactors and coenzymes used in metabolic reactions. Bioenergetics and ATP. Major metabolic pathways and role of oxygen in metabolism.
Full programme
Major monosaccharides: structure and function. Disaccharides and polysaccharides. Sucrose, lactose, maltose, starch, glycogen and cellulose.
Lipids. Fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phosphoglycerides and sphingolipids. Cholesterol and cholesterol derivatives.
The amino acids of proteins. The peptide bond. Proteins, biological importance. Structure of proteins. Conjugated proteins, lipoproteins, glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans. Hemoglobin and myoglobin. Membrane proteins. Biological transport systems: mediated, passive and active transport.
Enzymes: biological importance. Enzyme catalysis. Coenzymes. Water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. Enzyme dosage. Regulation of enzyme activity. Inhibition of enzymes. Medical and pharmacological importance of enzymes.
Forms of energy used by living things. General principles of metabolism. Metabolism of sugars: glycolysis and fermentations. Metabolism of glycogen. Lipid metabolism (synthesis and demolition of fatty acids). Synthesis and utilization of ketone bodies. Biosynthesis of cholesterol. Metabolism of amino acids. Ureogenesis. Terminal metabolism tricarboxylic acid cycle, respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
The control of metabolism. Signal transduction: cell signaling pathways; hormones and growth factors.
Hints of human nutrition.
Bibliography
Updated editions of:
M.Stefani E N. Taddei “Chimica, Biochimica e Biologia
applicata” Ed. Zanichelli.
D.L. Nelson e M. M. Cox “introduzione alla Biochimica di
Lehninger” ed. Zanichelli.
P.C. Champe, R.A. Harvey e D.R. Ferrier “Le basi della Biochimica”
Ed. Zanichelli
Teaching methods
The course will be conducted through face-to-face (classroom) lectures, and the student will have the opportunity to interact in real time with the lecturer. During the lectures, students will have the opportunity to discuss the qualifying aspects of the course. The lecturer will be available throughout the course, by email appointment, to answer questions and support students during their training, including one-on-one meetings. Lectures will be conducted with the help of iconographic material collected in presentations that will be made available to students.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written test with closed-ended answers; it consists of 30 multiple-choice questions, about 10 of which have Biochemistry as their subject. The time allotted for taking the test is 60 minutes. Each positive answer contributes 1 point to the determination of the final grade in thirtieths. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. The results of the written tests are announced after their correction is completed. In the event of a positive test result, the student will be required to take a brief oral discussion with the examination committee. The discussion will cover aspects of the written paper just taken or other points of the program being examined. The overall evaluation will take into account both tests.
Other information
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