Learning objectives
The skills acquired will enable the student to understand the biochemical nature of related molecular and metabolic mechanisms, and develop a critical sense in evaluating the nutritional quality of foods. The student must have understood and be able to critically analyze the basics of cellular metabolism and metabolic relationships among various tissues/organs. He/she must be able to present or summarize in a complete but concise manner the results achieved using correctly the technical language of biochemical/molecular processes of cellular metabolism and its regulation. The student is stimulated to elaborate with clarity and rigor the metabolic relationships among various tissues/organs as well as the major intercellular communication systems, to convey the contents and application possibilities of metabolism in a clear and concise manner. The student will be able to expound in detail the major metabolic pathways and their regulation; the structure and functions of hormones; endocrine regulation of the body's metabolic functions; metabolic coordination and biochemical correlations between organs and tissues under normal and pathological conditions; and the molecular basis of major human diseases.
Prerequisites
To be eligible for Human Biochemistry and nutrition exam students must have passed the following examinations:
1) Chimica e Propedeutica Biochimica
2) Istologia
3) Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare
Course unit content
The course will address the complexity of human metabolism and its regulation, laying the foundation for understanding diseases, diagnostics, and therapies at the molecular level and also illustrating aspects of hormonal regulation and integration of metabolic pathways at the organ and whole body level.
Glycolysis and the metabolic fate of pyruvate. Metabolism of glycogen. Gluconeogenesis. Blood glucose control. Hexosomonophosphate shunt. Krebs cycle and its amphibolic role. Fatty acid and lipid metabolism. Ketogenesis. Cholesterol metabolism. Lipid transport and plasma lipoproteins. Metabolism of amino acids. Metabolic fate of ammonia. Urea cycle. Metabolism of nitrogenous bases and nucleotides. Synthesis of uric acid. Synthesis and catabolism of heme group, bile pigments. Metabolism of iron. Endocrine system biochemistry and structural and functional classification of hormones. Hormonal signal transduction pathways. Role of hormones in metabolism. Mechanism of action of hormones. Molecular approaches to major human diseases.
Full programme
PROGRAMME OF THE INTEGRATED COURSE OF HUMAN BIOCHEMISTRY AND NUTRITION- 2nd year, 1st semester: CFU 9
Glycolysis and the metabolic fate of pyruvate. Glycogen metabolism. Gluconeogenesis. Blood glucose control. Hexosomonophosphate shunt. Krebs cycle and its amphibolic role. Fatty acid and lipid metabolism. Ketogenesis. Cholesterol metabolism. Lipid transport and plasma lipoproteins. Metabolism of amino acids. Metabolic fate of ammonia. Urea cycle. Metabolism of nitrogenous bases and nucleotides. Synthesis of uric acid. Synthesis and catabolism of heme group, bile pigments, bile and jaundice. Iron metabolism. Endocrine system biochemistry and structural and functional classification of hormones. Hormone signal transduction pathways. Role of hormones in metabolism. Mechanism of action of hormones. Molecular approaches to major human diseases. Muscle contraction. Fat-soluble vitamins and related signal transduction pathways.
Bibliography
The most up-to-date editions of the following texts are recommended:
Nelson DL, Cox MM: I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, Zanichelli, Bologna.
Voet D, Voet JG: Biochimica John Wiley & Sons, USA
Caldarera CM: Biochimica Sistematica Umana, CLUEB, Bologna.
Devlin TM: Biochimica con aspetti clinici. Wiley-Liss, New York.
Garrett RH, Grisham CM: Biochimica. Piccin, Padova.
Mathews CK, van Holde KE, Ahern KG: Biochimica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.
Siliprandi, Tettamanti: Biochimica Medica, Piccin. Padova.
Pollegioni: Fondamenti di Biochimica, Edises.
Berg, Tymozcko, Gatto, Stryer: Biochimica, Zanichelli.
Teaching methods
The course will be held with oral lectures and seminars to deep single issues, and will make use of multimedia systems. During the lessons, students will have the opportunity to discuss the key aspects of the course. Teachers will be available throughout the duration of the course to answer questions and support students during their training with individual meetings by appointment.
Assessment methods and criteria
The final examination of Human Biochemistry includes a written examination with questions on the main topics of the integrated program. Please refer to the detailed program below. Approval of written exam is semi-quantitative and allows access to the oral exam for the final result. The written text, corrected by the teacher, will be discussed during the oral exam to allow self-correction and integration of content as needed by the student. The schedule of the oral exams will be made available after correction of the written exams. The hearing will continue in the traditional way spacing on other topics of the program. The commission, taking into account all the elements acquired, will formulate the final grade. Students who have not passed the written test will be allowed to see the correct text and discuss the errors and/or weaknesses with faculty members of the commission by appointment via e-mail. This activity will help to improve the individual preparation for the subsequent attempt to pass the written exam.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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