BIOCHEMISTRY
Learning outcomes of the course unit
At the end of the course the students should demonstrate the understanding of the overall logic of metabolism, of the structure and function of biological macromolecules and of the mechanisms that allow chemical reactions in living organisms, their regulation and coordination. In detail, the student should be able to:
1) describe the function and structure of biological macromolecules and of relevant molecules of metabolism (KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING)
2) write the chemical structure of relevant mono- and disaccarhydes, amino acids and nulceotides; of the intermediates of the main metabolic pathways; of relevant cofactors and prostetic groups (KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING)
3) describe the main metabolic pathways and explain the chemical logic of metabolism (KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING)
4) write the mechanism of enzymatic reactions described during the course (KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING)
5) identify correlations in the mechanism of action of different enzymes and establish connections among metabolism pathways (APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING)
4) explain the topics of the course effectively with a language that uses appropriate scientific terminology (COMMUNICATION AND LEARNING SKILLS)
Prerequisites
Knowledge of general and organic chemistry is required
Course contents summary
Structure and function of biological macromolecules.
Mechanism of action of enzymes.
The logic of metabolism.
Metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids.
Principles of protein and nucleic acids metabolism.
Course contents
Principles of living organisms.
Molecular and macromolecular components of cells.
Structure, dynamics and function of proteins.
Antibodies.
Myoglobin and hemoglobin.
Allostery and allosteric models.
Enzymes and coenzymes.
Mechanisms of catalysis, inhibition and regulation of enzyme activity.
Lipids and biological membranes.
Carbohydrates.
Principles of metabolism and bioenergetics.
Glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway. Gluconeogenesis. Degradation and synthesis of glycogen. Hormonal regulation.
Degradation and synthesis of fatty acids.
Ketone bodies.
Krebs cycle.
Oxidative phosphorylation and synthesis of ATP.
Degradation and synthesis of amino acids, urea cycle.
Degradation and synthesis of purines and pyrimidines.
Recommended readings
Nelson e Cox
I PRINCI DI BIOCHIMICA DI LEHNINGER
Zanichelli
Appling, Anthony-Cahill e Mathews
BIOCHIMICA: Molecole e Metabolismo
Pearson
All the suggested textbooks have an original English version.
Teaching methods
Oral lessons integrated with informatic tools and the support of multimedia
Assessment methods and criteria
Students are required to pass a written exam followed by an oral exam.
The written exam will cover all the topics of the program. The exam will include 20 multiple choice questions (up to 40 points) and 4 open questions (up to 60 points). Grades are between 0 and 30 e lode.
