Learning objectives
- Knowledge and understanding of the chemical and structural properties of the major molecules of biological interest;
- knowledge of the fundamentals of cellular energy metabolism;
- knowledge of the fundamentals of enzymatic catalysis, its regulation and major metabolic pathways.
Prerequisites
Course unit content
In the first section of the course, a brief introduction to the basic principles of Organic Chemistry and the main molecules of biological systems (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, and ATP as energy transporter) will be presented.
In the second section of the course, main subject will be General and Metabolic Biochemistry with particular emphasis on bioenergetics, red-ox biological reactions, and cell metabolism.
Full programme
A) INTRODUCTION: fundamentals of organic chemistry.
B) STRUCTURAL BIOCHEMISTRY
Carbohydrates. Structure and classification of monosaccharides. The glycosidic bond, disaccharides. Homopolysaccharides: starch and glycogen. Amino acids: structural properties and classification. Peptides and proteins: the peptide bond and its characteristics. Protein structure: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure. Conformation and function of proteins. Lipids: classification, structure and function of fatty acids, triglycerides and cholesterol. Biological membranes: the lipid bilayer and membrane proteins. Nucleotides and nucleic acids.
C) GENERAL AND METABOLIC BIOCHEMISTRY
Hemoglobin: structure and function. Molecular mechanism of O2 transport. Factors that change the affinity for O2.
Enzymatic catalysis. Active site, specificity. Nature of enzymes and their classification.
Free energy and spontaneity of reactions. The thermodynamics of biological reactions, ATP as an energy carrier.
Cellular metabolism. Oxidation and degradation reactions, biosynthesis reactions.
Mitochondrial bioenergetics. Coenzymes and biological oxidation-reductions. The respiratory chain: components and functions. Mechanism of oxidative phosphorylation.
The metabolism of carbohydrates. Glycolysis, energy balance and regulation. The fate of pyruvate in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The Krebs cycle. Gluconeogenesis. Glycogen metabolism. Hormonal control of glucose metabolism by adrenaline, glucagon and insulin. Lipid and protein metabolism in brief.
Bibliography
Biochimica Essenziale
Gabriele D'Andrea
Editore: EdiSES
Learning material, assembled by the teacher, can be found at http://elly.medicina.unipr.it/.
Teaching methods
Lectures will be held on-site in compliance with safety standards, provided that further instructions on the ongoing health emergency are not implemented. Supporting material will be available on the specific, student-reserved Elly platform and will include slide presentations, audio-video aids or video-recording of the lectures (https://elly2020.medicina.unipr.it/).
Assessment methods and criteria
The oral exam of Biochemistry will deal with Structural and General Biochemistry; knowledge of enzymatic catalysis, bioenergetics and major metabolic pathways will contribute to the evaluation.
To produce the final grade, the Biochemistry grade will be averaged with the grade of the other two sections of the integrated course.
Students with SLD / BSE must first contact Le Eli-che: support for students with disabilities, D.S.A., B.E.S. (https://sea.unipr.it/it/servizi/le-eli-che-supporto-studenti-con-disabilita-dsa-bes).
Other information
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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