Biochemistry

The course provides information on the biochemical principles and processes underlying the functions of cells and organisms. The course allows you to understand the fundamental properties of biomolecules and how they interact to maintain and reproduce the characteristics of each living system.
Introduction: thermodynamic principles: weak bonds and strong bonds in biochemistry
Proteins: structure and function
Hemoglobin and myoglobin: oxygen transport
Enzymes: kinetics, catalysis and regulation
Carbohydrate biochemistry
Glucose catabolism: glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway
Glycogen metabolism and gluconeogenesis
Krebs cycle
Electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation
Photosynthesis and glyoxylate cycle
Structure, function of lipids and lipid metabolism: b-oxidation and synthesis of fatty acids, ketone bodies
The mevalonate route: cholesterol, isoprenoids, bile acids and steroid hormones
Amino acid metabolism
Elements of rumen metabolism
Intergration of metabolism
Biological membranes and transport of solutes through the membranes
Cellular regulation and principles of signal transduction
Outline of methods in biochemical research
· Spectrophotometric techniques
· Electrophoretic techniques
· Enzyme tests



EXERCISES
Spectrophotometric assay for the determination of proteins
Measurement of enzymatic activity
Protein electrophoresis
Analysis and quantification of metabolites in biological samples
Use of databases and programs for the study of the protein structure