Learning objectives
The course aims to enable the student to know and understand the macromolecules of biological interest. The student must understand and be able to describe:
1) the structure of the molecules,
2) how biological molecules interact and react,
3) the functions performed by the molecules that make up the cell, seen as an elementary unit of living matter,
3) fundamental aspects of cellular metabolism by locating the reactions’site within the cell.
At the end of the course, the student have to demonstrate knowledge and understanding about the biological strategies and interdependence goals between the various phases of metabolism (anabolism, intermediate metabolism and catabolism). The student must acquire an overview of the cellular metabolic processes and their connection with energy consumption and production.
The student must be able to apply the knowledge and comprehension skills acquired in carrying out its training activities.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of the following topics. The constitution of matter, elements and compounds. The fundamental particles of the atom. Atomic number and mass number. Atomic weight and molecular weight. Isotopes. Ions: cations and anions.
The periodic table and the electronic configuration of the elements of biological interest.
Electronegativity and chemical bonding: ionic and covalent bonding. Polarity of the molecules. Valence and oxidation number.
Fundamentals of inorganic chemistry: formulas and names of the most common inorganic compounds.
The principle of conservation of mass and charge: Balance of simple chemical reactions (oxidation-reduction and salting). Mole concept, conversion from grams to moles and vice versa, stoichiometry elementary. The solutions: what is a solution, the main ways of expressing the concentration of solutions.
Course unit content
Enzymes. Oxygen-containing protein. General scheme of metabolism: catabolic and anabolic pathways. Role of ATP. Cellular respiration. Metabolism of carbohydrates, triglycerides and amino acids.
Full programme
Structural organization of proteins: primary structure; secondary structures: alpha-helix, beta-sheet; tertiary structure: forces that stabilize the tertiary conformation of a protein; quaternary structure. Fibrous and globular proteins.Myoglobin and hemoglobin: saturation curves, cooperativity and allosterism, influence of pH and CO2 (Bohr effect), role of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (BPG). Fetal hemoglobin. Hemoglobin S. Enzymes – Structure and classification of enzymes. Enzyme-substrate interactions. Enzyme kinetics. Enzyme regulation mechanisms.Introduction to metabolism - Anabolism and catabolism.Carbohydrate metabolism - Glycolysis and regulation. Lactic fermentation. Gluconeogenesis and regulation. Choir cycle.Mitochondrial metabolism - Citric acid cycle, energy balance and regulation. Anaplerotic reactions. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes. Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.Fatty acid metabolism - Digestion, absorption and transport of triglycerides. Structure and synthesis of plasma lipoproteins. Beta-oxidation of fatty acids and its regulation. Energy balance of the complete oxidation of a fatty acid. Ketogenesis and use of ketone bodies.Amino acid and protein metabolism - Intracellular degradation of proteins. Catabolism of amino acids. Transamination and deamination. Urea cycle. Catabolism of the carbonaceous part of amino acids. Glucogenic and ketogenic amino acids.
Bibliography
Biochimica Essenziale con richiami di Chimica Generale e Chimica Organica.
Gabriele D'Andrea, Edises.
Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger, D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox, Casa Editrice Zanichelli
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 platform (Elly) and will include slide presentations, audio-video aids.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of the achievement of the objectives of the course consists of a written examination on the whole Biochemistry program.
Overall, particular attention will be paid to ascertain whether the student has achieved the goal of knowledge and understanding of the content.
Other information
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