BIOCHEMISTRY
cod. 00061

Academic year 2016/17
1° year of course - First semester
Professor
Academic discipline
Biochimica (BIO/10)
Field
Scienze biomediche
Type of training activity
Basic
16 hours
of face-to-face activities
2 credits
hub: -
course unit
in - - -

Integrated course unit module: BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

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

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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

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Bibliography

J.W. Baynes, M.H. Dominiczak
Biochimica per le discipline biomediche
Casa Ed. Ambrosiana.
Lecture notes provided by the teacher.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures.

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral exam.

Other information

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