Biochemistry
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with the scientific knowledge that will contribute to the formation of a basic biochemical culture and to the learning of biochemical language.
The aim of the course is to enable students to understand the fundamental logic of biochemistry, to know the molecular bases of the main biological functions, the main metabolic processes and their control, also highlighting the connections between the various processes.
The training objective of the course is to develop biochemical knowledge related to the functions of the key tissues in relation to the most common diseases.
The aim of the course is to enable students to understand the fundamental logic of biochemistry, to know the molecular bases of the main biological functions, the main metabolic processes and their control, also highlighting the connections between the various processes.
The training objective of the course is to develop biochemical knowledge related to the functions of the key tissues in relation to the most common diseases.
Expected learning outcomes
The students' learning outcomes are evaluated by the teacher through an oral examination of biochemistry learning on the basis of the program carried out during the course.
The teacher's examination of the students will be mainly aimed at assessing the knowledge and understanding of basic and metabolic biochemistry and assessing the skills acquired by the student at the completion of the course itself. In particular, the student's language properties will be evaluated, as well as the skills acquired to discriminate the different metabolic processes presented during the course.
The teacher's examination of the students will be mainly aimed at assessing the knowledge and understanding of basic and metabolic biochemistry and assessing the skills acquired by the student at the completion of the course itself. In particular, the student's language properties will be evaluated, as well as the skills acquired to discriminate the different metabolic processes presented during the course.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Linea AK
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
- Cells, biomolecules and water.
- Amino acids, peptides and proteins. Classification, structure and chemical-physical properties of amino acids. Peptide bond. Properties and structural organization of proteins. Protein functions: fibrous proteins (collagen, keratin, elastin), globular proteins (myoglobin and hemoglobin) and conjugated proteins.
- Enzymes. Nomenclature and classification. Co-factors and coenzymes. Enzymatic kinetics. Inhibition and regulation of enzyme activity.
- Vitamins. Fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin-like factors.
- Thermodynamics in biological systems.
Bioenergetics. ATP and high-energy biomolecules. Respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
- Glucides. Mono-, di- and polysaccharides: structure, chemical-physical properties and functions. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Metabolism of carbohydrates: glycolysis and aerobic metabolism of glucose; Krebs cycle; gluconeogenesis; pentose phosphate cycle; glycogen metabolism.
- Lipids. Fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, glycolipids, terpenes and sterols: structure, physico-chemical properties and functions. Digestion and absorption of lipids. Transport of lipids in the blood: plasma lipoproteins. Lipid metabolism: activation and transport of fatty acids; α-, β- and ω-oxidation of fatty acids; metabolism of ketone bodies; biosynthesis of fatty acids; metabolism of triglycerides; metabolism of phospholipids; metabolism of cholesterol.
- Proteins and amino acids. Protein digestion and amino acid absorption. Synthesis and catabolism of amino acids. Urea cycle.
- Nucleotides and nucleic acids. Structure, chemical-physical properties and function of nucleotides. Biosynthesis and nucleotide catabolism. Structure, chemical-physical properties and function of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
- Biochemistry of informational biomolecules. DNA Metabolism: DNA replication, mutations, repair and recombination. RNA metabolism: DNA transcription; pre-RNA maturation. Protein metabolism: genetic code; protein biosynthesis; post-translational and folding protein modifications; protein degradation; glycoprotein metabolism. Regulation of gene expression.
- Biochemistry of hormones. Metabolism, mechanisms of action and regulation of polypeptide hormones, pancreas (insulin, glucagon), gastro-intestinal tract, pituitary, thyroid, medullar of the surrene (adrenaline and noradrenaline), steroids (corticosteroids and sex), parathyroid and calcitonin; eicosanoids.
- Organ biochemistry.
Liver: metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids; detoxification reactions (oxidation, reduction, hydroxylation and conjugation).
Muscle tissue: classification and organization of muscle fibres and energy metabolism; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids (Ala cycle and Chorus cycle); biochemical mechanisms involved in the contraction of skeletal and cardiac muscle.
Adipose tissue: characteristics of white and brown adipose tissue; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids; thermogenesis; secretory function of adipose tissue.
Blood: function and metabolism of plasma proteins; metabolism of erythrocytes; blood clotting.
Nervous system: metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and ketone bodies, and amino acids; metabolism and function of neurotransmitters.
- Metabolic interrelationships and coordinated regulatory mechanisms in physiological and pathological conditions.
- Amino acids, peptides and proteins. Classification, structure and chemical-physical properties of amino acids. Peptide bond. Properties and structural organization of proteins. Protein functions: fibrous proteins (collagen, keratin, elastin), globular proteins (myoglobin and hemoglobin) and conjugated proteins.
- Enzymes. Nomenclature and classification. Co-factors and coenzymes. Enzymatic kinetics. Inhibition and regulation of enzyme activity.
- Vitamins. Fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin-like factors.
- Thermodynamics in biological systems.
Bioenergetics. ATP and high-energy biomolecules. Respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
- Glucides. Mono-, di- and polysaccharides: structure, chemical-physical properties and functions. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Metabolism of carbohydrates: glycolysis and aerobic metabolism of glucose; Krebs cycle; gluconeogenesis; pentose phosphate cycle; glycogen metabolism.
- Lipids. Fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, glycolipids, terpenes and sterols: structure, physico-chemical properties and functions. Digestion and absorption of lipids. Transport of lipids in the blood: plasma lipoproteins. Lipid metabolism: activation and transport of fatty acids; α-, β- and ω-oxidation of fatty acids; metabolism of ketone bodies; biosynthesis of fatty acids; metabolism of triglycerides; metabolism of phospholipids; metabolism of cholesterol.
- Proteins and amino acids. Protein digestion and amino acid absorption. Synthesis and catabolism of amino acids. Urea cycle.
- Nucleotides and nucleic acids. Structure, chemical-physical properties and function of nucleotides. Biosynthesis and nucleotide catabolism. Structure, chemical-physical properties and function of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
- Biochemistry of informational biomolecules. DNA Metabolism: DNA replication, mutations, repair and recombination. RNA metabolism: DNA transcription; pre-RNA maturation. Protein metabolism: genetic code; protein biosynthesis; post-translational and folding protein modifications; protein degradation; glycoprotein metabolism. Regulation of gene expression.
- Biochemistry of hormones. Metabolism, mechanisms of action and regulation of polypeptide hormones, pancreas (insulin, glucagon), gastro-intestinal tract, pituitary, thyroid, medullar of the surrene (adrenaline and noradrenaline), steroids (corticosteroids and sex), parathyroid and calcitonin; eicosanoids.
- Organ biochemistry.
Liver: metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids; detoxification reactions (oxidation, reduction, hydroxylation and conjugation).
Muscle tissue: classification and organization of muscle fibres and energy metabolism; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids (Ala cycle and Chorus cycle); biochemical mechanisms involved in the contraction of skeletal and cardiac muscle.
Adipose tissue: characteristics of white and brown adipose tissue; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids; thermogenesis; secretory function of adipose tissue.
Blood: function and metabolism of plasma proteins; metabolism of erythrocytes; blood clotting.
Nervous system: metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and ketone bodies, and amino acids; metabolism and function of neurotransmitters.
- Metabolic interrelationships and coordinated regulatory mechanisms in physiological and pathological conditions.
Prerequisites for admission
To take the exam, students must have passed the Human Anatomy and Physiology exam. It is recommended to pass Organic Chemistry I exam.
The exam consists of an oral test based on the program carried out during the course.
The exam consists of an oral test based on the program carried out during the course.
Teaching methods
The course only includes 64 hours of frontal lessons. Attendance to lessons is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
All didactic material will always be made available through the Ariel platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The students' learning outcomes are evaluated by the teacher through an oral examination of biochemistry learning on the basis of the program carried out during the course.
The teacher's examination of the students will be mainly aimed at assessing the knowledge and understanding of basic and metabolic biochemistry and assessing the skills acquired by the student at the completion of the course itself. In particular, the student's language properties will be evaluated, as well as the skills acquired to discriminate the different metabolic processes presented during the course.
The teacher's examination of the students will be mainly aimed at assessing the knowledge and understanding of basic and metabolic biochemistry and assessing the skills acquired by the student at the completion of the course itself. In particular, the student's language properties will be evaluated, as well as the skills acquired to discriminate the different metabolic processes presented during the course.
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 8
Lessons: 64 hours
Professor:
Caruso Donatella Maria
Linea LZ
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
- Cells, biomolecules and water.
- Amino acids, peptides and proteins. Classification, structure and chemical-physical properties of amino acids. Peptide bond. Properties and structural organization of proteins. Protein functions: fibrous proteins (collagen, keratin, elastin), globular proteins (myoglobin and hemoglobin) and conjugated proteins.
- Enzymes. Nomenclature and classification. Co-factors and coenzymes. Enzymatic kinetics. Inhibition and regulation of enzyme activity.
- Vitamins. Fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin-like factors.
- Thermodynamics in biological systems.
Bioenergetics. ATP and high-energy biomolecules. Respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
- Glucides. Mono-, di- and polysaccharides: structure, chemical-physical properties and functions. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Metabolism of carbohydrates: glycolysis and aerobic metabolism of glucose; Krebs cycle; gluconeogenesis; pentose phosphate cycle; glycogen metabolism.
- Lipids. Fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, glycolipids, terpenes and sterols: structure, physico-chemical properties and functions. Digestion and absorption of lipids. Transport of lipids in the blood: plasma lipoproteins. Lipid metabolism: activation and transport of fatty acids; β- and ω-oxidation of fatty acids; metabolism of ketone bodies; biosynthesis of fatty acids; metabolism of triglycerides; metabolism of phospholipids; metabolism of cholesterol.
- Proteins and amino acids. Protein digestion and amino acid absorption. Synthesis and catabolism of amino acids. Urea cycle.
- Nucleotides and nucleic acids. Structure, chemical-physical properties and function of nucleotides. Biosynthesis and nucleotide catabolism. Structure, chemical-physical properties and function of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
- Biochemistry of informational biomolecules. DNA Metabolism: DNA replication, mutations, repair and recombination. RNA metabolism: DNA transcription; pre-RNA maturation. Protein metabolism: genetic code; protein biosynthesis; post-translational and folding protein modifications; protein degradation; glycoprotein metabolism. Regulation of gene expression.
- Biochemistry of hormones. Metabolism, mechanisms of action and regulation of polypeptide hormones, pancreas (insulin, glucagon), gastro-intestinal tract, pituitary, thyroid, medullar of the surrene (adrenaline and noradrenaline), steroids (corticosteroids and sex), eicosanoids.
- Organ biochemistry.
Liver: metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids; detoxification reactions (oxidation, reduction, hydroxylation and conjugation).
Muscle tissue: classification and organization of muscle fibres and energy metabolism; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids (Ala cycle and Cori cycle); biochemical mechanisms involved in the contraction of skeletal and cardiac muscle.
Adipose tissue: characteristics of white and brown adipose tissue; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids; thermogenesis; secretory function of adipose tissue.
Blood: function and metabolism of plasma proteins; metabolism of erythrocytes; blood clotting.
Nervous system: metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and ketone bodies, and amino acids; metabolism and function of neurotransmitters.
- Metabolic interrelationships and coordinated regulatory mechanisms in physiological and pathological conditions.
- Amino acids, peptides and proteins. Classification, structure and chemical-physical properties of amino acids. Peptide bond. Properties and structural organization of proteins. Protein functions: fibrous proteins (collagen, keratin, elastin), globular proteins (myoglobin and hemoglobin) and conjugated proteins.
- Enzymes. Nomenclature and classification. Co-factors and coenzymes. Enzymatic kinetics. Inhibition and regulation of enzyme activity.
- Vitamins. Fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin-like factors.
- Thermodynamics in biological systems.
Bioenergetics. ATP and high-energy biomolecules. Respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
- Glucides. Mono-, di- and polysaccharides: structure, chemical-physical properties and functions. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Metabolism of carbohydrates: glycolysis and aerobic metabolism of glucose; Krebs cycle; gluconeogenesis; pentose phosphate cycle; glycogen metabolism.
- Lipids. Fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, glycolipids, terpenes and sterols: structure, physico-chemical properties and functions. Digestion and absorption of lipids. Transport of lipids in the blood: plasma lipoproteins. Lipid metabolism: activation and transport of fatty acids; β- and ω-oxidation of fatty acids; metabolism of ketone bodies; biosynthesis of fatty acids; metabolism of triglycerides; metabolism of phospholipids; metabolism of cholesterol.
- Proteins and amino acids. Protein digestion and amino acid absorption. Synthesis and catabolism of amino acids. Urea cycle.
- Nucleotides and nucleic acids. Structure, chemical-physical properties and function of nucleotides. Biosynthesis and nucleotide catabolism. Structure, chemical-physical properties and function of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
- Biochemistry of informational biomolecules. DNA Metabolism: DNA replication, mutations, repair and recombination. RNA metabolism: DNA transcription; pre-RNA maturation. Protein metabolism: genetic code; protein biosynthesis; post-translational and folding protein modifications; protein degradation; glycoprotein metabolism. Regulation of gene expression.
- Biochemistry of hormones. Metabolism, mechanisms of action and regulation of polypeptide hormones, pancreas (insulin, glucagon), gastro-intestinal tract, pituitary, thyroid, medullar of the surrene (adrenaline and noradrenaline), steroids (corticosteroids and sex), eicosanoids.
- Organ biochemistry.
Liver: metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids; detoxification reactions (oxidation, reduction, hydroxylation and conjugation).
Muscle tissue: classification and organization of muscle fibres and energy metabolism; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids (Ala cycle and Cori cycle); biochemical mechanisms involved in the contraction of skeletal and cardiac muscle.
Adipose tissue: characteristics of white and brown adipose tissue; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids; thermogenesis; secretory function of adipose tissue.
Blood: function and metabolism of plasma proteins; metabolism of erythrocytes; blood clotting.
Nervous system: metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and ketone bodies, and amino acids; metabolism and function of neurotransmitters.
- Metabolic interrelationships and coordinated regulatory mechanisms in physiological and pathological conditions.
Prerequisites for admission
To take the exam, students must have passed the Human Anatomy and Physiology exam. It is recommended to pass the Organic Chemistry I exam.
The exam consists of an oral test based on the program carried out during the course.
The exam consists of an oral test based on the program carried out during the course.
Teaching methods
The course only includes 64 hours of frontal lessons.
Teaching Resources
Recommended texts
The latest editions of:
- D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox, Lehninger's Principles of Biochemistry, Zanichelli.
- D. Voet, J.G. Voet, C.W. Pratt, Basics of Biochemistry, Zanichelli.
- G. Berg, J.L. Tymoczko, L. Stryer, Biochemistry, Zanichelli.
- R.K. Murray, D.K. Granner, P.A. Mayes, V.W. Rodwell, Harper Biochemistry, McGraw-Hill.
- Siliprandi, G. Tettamanti, Applied Medical Biochemistry, Piccin.
The iconographic material shown during the lessons can be downloaded from the Ariel portal.
The latest editions of:
- D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox, Lehninger's Principles of Biochemistry, Zanichelli.
- D. Voet, J.G. Voet, C.W. Pratt, Basics of Biochemistry, Zanichelli.
- G. Berg, J.L. Tymoczko, L. Stryer, Biochemistry, Zanichelli.
- R.K. Murray, D.K. Granner, P.A. Mayes, V.W. Rodwell, Harper Biochemistry, McGraw-Hill.
- Siliprandi, G. Tettamanti, Applied Medical Biochemistry, Piccin.
The iconographic material shown during the lessons can be downloaded from the Ariel portal.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The students' learning outcomes are evaluated by the teacher through an oral examination of biochemistry learning on the basis of the program carried out during the course.
The teacher's examination of the students will be mainly aimed at assessing the knowledge and understanding of basic and metabolic biochemistry and assessing the skills acquired by the student at the completion of the course itself. In particular, the student's language properties will be evaluated, as well as the skills acquired to discriminate the different metabolic processes presented during the course.
The teacher's examination of the students will be mainly aimed at assessing the knowledge and understanding of basic and metabolic biochemistry and assessing the skills acquired by the student at the completion of the course itself. In particular, the student's language properties will be evaluated, as well as the skills acquired to discriminate the different metabolic processes presented during the course.
Professor(s)