Biochemistry

The teaching aims to provide the educational elements related to living organisms, with particular attention to fundamental biochemical knowledge. Particular relevance is given to the understanding of the structure-function relationships of biological (macro)molecules and their interactions, the mechanism of action of some proteins and in particular of enzymes, the main metabolic pathways, highlighting the logic of organization, their regulation and interconnections.

At the end of the teaching class the student will be familiar with the nomenclature and structures of the main biological molecules and macromolecules. He/she will know the mechanisms of action of select proteins and have an analytical knowledge of the bases of enzyme kinetics and inhibition. Furthermore, the student will be expected to understand the energy and matter flows through metabolic cycles and their regulation, and have an in-depth knowledge of the main metabolic pathways that control the energy flow in the cell, the regulation and interconnection among the main metabolic pathways studied.
Learning these topics will be a fundamental element for the student to deal with the rest of the degree course with preparation and awareness. An aspect of considerable applicative importance is also the ability to identify in the panorama of the most modern methods of investigation those that are most suitable to answer the scientific questions that concern a modern active biologist.