Systematic and Nutritional Biochemistry
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course of Systematic and Nutritional Biochemistry aims to integrate and deepen the biochemical concepts acquired in the course of General Biochemistry by covering further aspects on metabolism, on integration and regulation of metabolic pathways, as well as providing information on the biochemical properties of nutrients. In particular, this course aims to lead students through a path that projects them towards understanding the basic mechanisms responsible for alterations of homeostasis and the onset of diseases, which will allow them to develop a direct connection between theory and clinical application of biochemistry, also in relation to the nutritional status of the individual.
Learning objectives of the frontal lessons are to develop skills related to:
- mechanism of biochemical regulation of the metabolic pathways that occur in the main tissues (liver, muscle, adipose tissue, nervous system, blood, bone tissue) in order to understand, at a biochemical and molecular level, the complex communication phenomena between organs and tissues, the control systems of their functions, their interrelationships in physiological conditions and the conditions that can lead to their alteration;
- biochemical, metabolic and epigenetic functions of micro- and macronutrients and other dietary constituents.
Learning objective of the exercises is to provide the student with the opportunity to integrate the theoretical knowledge dealed in the frontal lessons with clinical data to better understand the role of some biomolecules, such as enzymes, hormones, vitamins and minerals, in the biological functions of the human body and the effects of changes in the levels of these constituents on the predisposition and/or efficient diagnosis of various diseases.
Learning objectives of the frontal lessons are to develop skills related to:
- mechanism of biochemical regulation of the metabolic pathways that occur in the main tissues (liver, muscle, adipose tissue, nervous system, blood, bone tissue) in order to understand, at a biochemical and molecular level, the complex communication phenomena between organs and tissues, the control systems of their functions, their interrelationships in physiological conditions and the conditions that can lead to their alteration;
- biochemical, metabolic and epigenetic functions of micro- and macronutrients and other dietary constituents.
Learning objective of the exercises is to provide the student with the opportunity to integrate the theoretical knowledge dealed in the frontal lessons with clinical data to better understand the role of some biomolecules, such as enzymes, hormones, vitamins and minerals, in the biological functions of the human body and the effects of changes in the levels of these constituents on the predisposition and/or efficient diagnosis of various diseases.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the Systematic Biochemistry and Nutrition course, the student should be able to outline the general metabolic overview at the level of human organs and tissues, also in relation to the nutritional status. The student should also be able to describe, at the molecular level, the control systems of the metabolic functions of the main organs and tissues under normal conditions for maintaining the homeostasis of the main metabolites.
With regard to application skills, at the end of the course the student will possess the knowledge that will allow him/her to integrate, interpret and explain with appropriate scientific language numerous phenomena related to the normal and pathological conditions of the human body. The student will also know the levels of different metabolites present in human fluids, such as blood and urine, so that he/she will be able to interpret changes in these levels to correlate them with different human diseases. Furthermore, at the end of the course the student will have acquired the cultural tools and knowledge necessary to understand the biochemical nature of micro- and macronutrients whose proper intake and processing ensure homeostasis in the human body.
With regard to application skills, at the end of the course the student will possess the knowledge that will allow him/her to integrate, interpret and explain with appropriate scientific language numerous phenomena related to the normal and pathological conditions of the human body. The student will also know the levels of different metabolites present in human fluids, such as blood and urine, so that he/she will be able to interpret changes in these levels to correlate them with different human diseases. Furthermore, at the end of the course the student will have acquired the cultural tools and knowledge necessary to understand the biochemical nature of micro- and macronutrients whose proper intake and processing ensure homeostasis in the human body.
Lesson period: First 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 AL
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Rizzo Angela Maria
Linea MZ
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Food and nutrition concepts
Nutrients: classification, nutritional goals; dietary reference intakes; caloric value and energy requirements; basal metabolism (at rest and under exercise); carbohydrate, lipid and protein quality of a diet.
Non-nutrients or anti-nutrients: resistant starch and glycemic index; dietary fiber (concept and classification, functions, sources, bioavailability, nutritional recommendations).
Hormonal control of macronutrient metabolism
Structure, metabolism, and functions of insulin.
Structure, metabolism, and functions of glucagon.
Structure, metabolism, and functions of adrenaline.
Structure, metabolism, and functions of cortisol
Structure, metabolism, and functions of thyroid hormones.
Hormonal control of appetite.
Human systematic biochemistry
Bioavailability of macronutrients: digestion, absorption, transport, and metabolic fate.
Metabolic pathways and role of macronutrients in various tissues: liver, skeletal muscle (resting and exercising), heart, adipose tissue, central nervous system, kidney and tumor cells.
Interrelationships and integrations related to the feeding/fasting rhythm: endocrine-metabolic balance after a meal, at the end of physiological overnight fasting and in prolonged fasting.
Non-energy pathways of fatty acids: lipid mediators and endocannabinoids.
Biochemistry of xenobiotics
Detoxification reactions.
Ethanol metabolism and bioavailability; influence of alcohol on nutritional status; metabolic effects of moderate and excessive consumption.
Biochemistry of vitamins
Water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, cobalamin, folic acid, ascorbic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K). Sources, absorption and metabolism, main biochemical processes and physiological functions in which they are involved. Nutritional recommendations.
Biochemistry of inorganic nutrients
Concept and classification, functions in the body, dietary sources, bioavailability, nutritional recommendations.
Metabolism of sodium and potassium.
Metabolism of calcium, phosphate and magnesium.
Metabolism of iodine.
Metabolism of copper, zinc, selenium.
Metabolism of iron and heme.
Nutrients: classification, nutritional goals; dietary reference intakes; caloric value and energy requirements; basal metabolism (at rest and under exercise); carbohydrate, lipid and protein quality of a diet.
Non-nutrients or anti-nutrients: resistant starch and glycemic index; dietary fiber (concept and classification, functions, sources, bioavailability, nutritional recommendations).
Hormonal control of macronutrient metabolism
Structure, metabolism, and functions of insulin.
Structure, metabolism, and functions of glucagon.
Structure, metabolism, and functions of adrenaline.
Structure, metabolism, and functions of cortisol
Structure, metabolism, and functions of thyroid hormones.
Hormonal control of appetite.
Human systematic biochemistry
Bioavailability of macronutrients: digestion, absorption, transport, and metabolic fate.
Metabolic pathways and role of macronutrients in various tissues: liver, skeletal muscle (resting and exercising), heart, adipose tissue, central nervous system, kidney and tumor cells.
Interrelationships and integrations related to the feeding/fasting rhythm: endocrine-metabolic balance after a meal, at the end of physiological overnight fasting and in prolonged fasting.
Non-energy pathways of fatty acids: lipid mediators and endocannabinoids.
Biochemistry of xenobiotics
Detoxification reactions.
Ethanol metabolism and bioavailability; influence of alcohol on nutritional status; metabolic effects of moderate and excessive consumption.
Biochemistry of vitamins
Water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, cobalamin, folic acid, ascorbic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K). Sources, absorption and metabolism, main biochemical processes and physiological functions in which they are involved. Nutritional recommendations.
Biochemistry of inorganic nutrients
Concept and classification, functions in the body, dietary sources, bioavailability, nutritional recommendations.
Metabolism of sodium and potassium.
Metabolism of calcium, phosphate and magnesium.
Metabolism of iodine.
Metabolism of copper, zinc, selenium.
Metabolism of iron and heme.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is aimed at students who have basic knowledge of general biology, anatomy, general inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry, and have acquired the knowledge provided by the General Biochemistry course of the second year of the Degree Course in Pharmacy Unimi ord. E26. In particular, the student must know not only the structural and chemical properties of the main organic biomolecules (with both simple and macromolecular structures) of specific relevance for the human organism, but also the chemical reactions, the regulatory strategies and the functions of the metabolic pathways (anabolic and catabolic) to which carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides are subject.
Teaching methods
Lectures (7 credits) and exercises to be carried out in the classroom (1 credit)
Teaching Resources
Iconographic material of the lessons on the site https://myariel.unimi.it/
- N. Siliprandi, G. Tettamanti, "Biochimica Applicata Medica", Piccin, 5a ed., 2018
- D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox, "I Principi di Biochimica di Lehninger", Zanichelli, 8a ed., 2022
- G. D'Andrea, "La Biochimica di Thomas Devlin", EdiSES, 6a ed., 2023
- G. Arienti, "Le basi molecolari della nutrizione", 5a edizione, Piccin, 2021
- N. Siliprandi, G. Tettamanti, "Biochimica Applicata Medica", Piccin, 5a ed., 2018
- D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox, "I Principi di Biochimica di Lehninger", Zanichelli, 8a ed., 2022
- G. D'Andrea, "La Biochimica di Thomas Devlin", EdiSES, 6a ed., 2023
- G. Arienti, "Le basi molecolari della nutrizione", 5a edizione, Piccin, 2021
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral test, which includes the treatment of:
- bioavailability and metabolic role of a macronutrient
- metabolic pathways of an organ related to nutritional and functional status
- a hormone or a vitamin or an inorganic nutrient
The exam is considered passed when the student demonstrates knowledge of all the required topics.
The criterion for assigning is established on the basis of the demonstrated level of depth of knowledge and the ability to answer the questions with appropriate terminology; the ability to recognize connections between different topics and the demonstration of having drawn from sources other than the notes or slides proposed in class will be particularly appreciated.
In each Academic Year 7 exam sessions will be fixed. These "ordinary" sessions will be scheduled only in the periods in which there is no provision of lessons, namely:
- 1 exam in the autumn suspension period of teaching (usually at the end of November)
- 2 exam sessions between the last week of January and the end of February
- 1 exam in the spring suspension period of teaching (normally in April)
- 2 exam sessions between mid-June and late July
- 1 session in September.
In each Academic Year, at the request of the students, two "extraordinary" sessions, reserved for students who are out of course, can be set even in periods in which there is no suspension of teaching activities (1 extraordinary "spring session" session in March or May; 1 extraordinary "autumn session" session in October or December).
- bioavailability and metabolic role of a macronutrient
- metabolic pathways of an organ related to nutritional and functional status
- a hormone or a vitamin or an inorganic nutrient
The exam is considered passed when the student demonstrates knowledge of all the required topics.
The criterion for assigning is established on the basis of the demonstrated level of depth of knowledge and the ability to answer the questions with appropriate terminology; the ability to recognize connections between different topics and the demonstration of having drawn from sources other than the notes or slides proposed in class will be particularly appreciated.
In each Academic Year 7 exam sessions will be fixed. These "ordinary" sessions will be scheduled only in the periods in which there is no provision of lessons, namely:
- 1 exam in the autumn suspension period of teaching (usually at the end of November)
- 2 exam sessions between the last week of January and the end of February
- 1 exam in the spring suspension period of teaching (normally in April)
- 2 exam sessions between mid-June and late July
- 1 session in September.
In each Academic Year, at the request of the students, two "extraordinary" sessions, reserved for students who are out of course, can be set even in periods in which there is no suspension of teaching activities (1 extraordinary "spring session" session in March or May; 1 extraordinary "autumn session" session in October or December).
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Colombo Irma
Professor(s)