Learning objectives
The course aims to provide medical students with the basis for understanding the physical, chemical and biological contexts in which molecules, reactions and metabolic pathways occur. The main aim of the course is to provide students with the skills to understand the biochemical nature of the molecular and metabolic mechanisms of cells and tissues, and the mechanisms that regulate the integration between tissues and organs, and to develop a critical sense in assessing the nutritional quality of foods.
1. Knowledge and comprehension skills. Know, understand and recall the basics of cell metabolism, the metabolic relationships between the various tissues/organs and the biochemical nature of the related molecular and metabolic mechanisms as well as the organisation and roles of hormones, endocrine control of the body's metabolic processes, coordination and biochemical connections between organs and tissues in normal and pathological circumstances and molecular foundations of important human diseases. Understanding and knowledge of the nutritional quality of foods
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. Critically analyse basic knowledge of cell metabolism and the metabolic relationships between various tissues/organs Use the acquired biochemical knowledge and analytical skills in a highly professional manner in all relevant fields of work. In addition, be able to accurately formulate and support reasoning to address and solve questions relevant to the field of study.
3. autonomy of judgement. Elaborate with clarity and rigour the metabolic relationships between the various tissues/organs, as well as the main intercellular communication systems, to convey the contents and application possibilities of metabolism in a clear and concise manner, evaluating the effects of a failure to regulate a metabolic pathway. Develop an insightful ability to assess the nutritional quality of food, collect and analyse clinical data, formulate hypotheses and independently research relevant scientific information.
4. communication skills. Present or summarise in a comprehensive but concise manner the main metabolic pathways and their regulation by correctly using the technical language of the biochemical/molecular processes of cellular metabolism and its regulation. Effectively convey information, address problems and present solutions inherent to the discipline. Elaborate clearly and rigorously on the metabolic relationships between different tissues/organs, together with the primary intercellular communication systems. Articulate the content and potential applications of metabolism in a concise and lucid manner.
5. learning skills. Possess the essential learning skills to update knowledge through scientific literature and undertake the study of subsequent disciplines with a high level of autonomy.
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 foundations for understanding pathologies, diagnostics, therapies at the molecular level and also illustrating aspects of hormonal regulation and the integration of metabolic pathways at the organ and whole body level.
Glycolysis and the metabolic fate of pyruvate. Glycogen metabolism. Gluconeogenesis. Blood glucose control. Hexosomono-phosphate 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 the heme group, bile pigments. Iron metabolism. Biochemistry of the endocrine system 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 pathologies.
Full programme
PROGRAMME OF THE IN HUMAN BIOCHEMISTRY AND NUTRITION
Glycolysis and the metabolic fate of pyruvate. Glycogen metabolism. Gluconeogenesis. Control of glycaemia. Hexosomono-phosphate shunt. Krebs cycle and its amphibolic role. Structure and functions of fatty acids, Fatty acid biosynthesis, Fatty acid desaturation and elongation, Regulation of fatty acid biosynthesis, Arachidonic acid metabolites. Synthesis of triglycerides and phospholipids, Lipid metabolism, Membrane lipid biosynthesis, Cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis, Steroid hormones. Lipolysis. Fatty acid transport from adipose tissue. The beta-oxidation of fatty acids: Regulation of lipolysis and beta-oxidation. Omega-oxidation and alpha-oxidation. Ketogenesis. 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. Biochemistry of the endocrine system 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 pathologies. Muscle contraction. Tissue and organ metabolism. Metabolism and lipid metabolism nutrition, Energy homeostasis, Fatty liver disease and nutrition, Principles of nutrition - Macronutrients, Principles of nutrition - Micronutrients
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 consist of heuristic lectures during which dialogue with students will be privileged, and seminars on specific topics, using multimedia systems. During the lessons, students will have the opportunity to discuss the essential aspects of the course. Teachers will be available throughout the course to answer questions and assist students through individual appointments as required.
Assessment methods and criteria
The Human Biochemistry and Nutrition course includes a written test with questions on the main topics covered in the extensive syllabus below. Approval of the written test is semi-quantitative and gives access to the oral test for overall assessment. The corrected written text, reviewed by the lecturer, will be the focal point for discussion during the oral test, facilitating self-correction and integration of content as required by the student. The timetable for the oral test will be provided following the correction of the written tests. The oral test will be conducted in a conventional manner, covering additional topics from the syllabus. Considering all the elements acquired, the committee will determine the final grade. Students who do not pass the written test will have the opportunity to review the corrected text and discuss any errors or weaknesses with the commission's lecturers by e-mail by appointment. This activity is aimed at enhancing individual preparation for subsequent attempts to pass the written test. At the end of each lesson, questions will be presented to the class aimed at reinforcing the achievement of the learning objectives and monitoring the level of understanding of the topics, which students will be asked to answer voluntarily.
Students with DSA/BSE must contact the University's Centre for Reception and Inclusion (CAI) in advance and follow the CAI's instructions for any requests for personalised examinations (https://www.cai.unipr.it/ ).
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
Salute e benessere
Istruzione di qualità
Uguaglianza di genere
