Learning objectives
The main objective of the course is to provide the students with the essential notions to learn and understand the structure and function of the complex biomolecules. Of these molecules the student is required to know the fundamental metabolic pathways and regulation.
Prerequisites
no
Course unit content
Nucleic acids: the sugar and the base components of nucleosides and nucleotides. Nucleosides and nucleotides. Structure and fundamental properties of RNA and DNA.
Amino acids and proteins: general structure and classification of the 20 amino acids that occur in proteins. Acid-base behaviour of amino acids; isoelectric point. Peptide bond. The different levels of protein structure: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary.
Structure and function of myoglobin and hemoglobin.
Enzymes. Enzymatic kinetics, Michaelis-Menten constant. Classification of enzymes. Coenzymes, isoenzymes, competitive and non-competitive inhibition.
Lipids: fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids: structure and properties.
Structure and function of the biological membranes.
General principles of bioenergetics.
Carbohydrates: structure and properties of the most important monosaccharides (glucose, fructose), disaccharides (maltose, lactose, saccarose) and polysaccharides. Chiral properties.
Introduction to the metabolism: basic concepts of catabolism and anabolism.
Full programme
Nucleic acids: the sugar and the base components of nucleosides and
nucleotides. Nucleosides and nucleotides. Structure and fundamental
properties of RNA and DNA. Amino acids and proteins: general structure
and classification of the 20 amino acids that occur in proteins. Acid-base
behaviour of amino acids; isoelectric point. Peptide bond. The different
levels of protein structure: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary.
Structure and function of myoglobin and hemoglobin. Enzymes.
Enzymatic kinetics, Michaelis-Menten constant. Classification of enzymes.
Coenzymes, isoenzymes, competitive and non-competitive inhibition.
Lipids: fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids: structure and properties.
Structure and function of the biological membranes. General principles of
bioenergetics. Carbohydrates: structure and properties of the most
important monosaccharides (glucose, fructose), disaccharides (maltose,
lactose, saccarose) and polysaccharides. Chiral properties. Introduction to
the metabolism: basic concepts of catabolism and anabolism.
Bibliography
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Teaching methods
During frontal lectures, teacher will illustrate and discuss the different topics/arguments of the program.
Students will be invited to participate to supplemental explanations and exercitations by the students themselves.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of the achievement of the objectives of the module includes a written exam, consisting of multiple choice quizzes and open questions. The knowledge and understanding of the contents by the students will be assessed through questions on the topics of the whole module. Through the resolution of problems the students ability to apply the acquired knowledge will be assessed. The final valuation will give more weight to the open questions.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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