Biology and Biochemistry
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
- Knowledge of the biological processes at the molecular level, the structure, the properties and functions of biomolecules.
- Knowledge of the biochemical basis of pathological states.
- Knowledge of the human systematic biochemistry.
- Understanding the basics of molecular and cellular biology.
- Knowledge of the biochemical basis of pathological states.
- Knowledge of the human systematic biochemistry.
- Understanding the basics of molecular and cellular biology.
Expected learning outcomes
- The student should acquire adequate knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of chemistry, biochemistry, and biology.
- The student should be able to explain/describe the structure, functions and metabolism of the most important biological macromolecules, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates and their role in metabolic pathways.
- The student should be able to describe the eukaryotic cell both morphologically and functionally. In particular, the students should have acquired sufficient information to describe the process of protein synthesis, the regulation of gene expression and the biological variability induced by mutations and the recombination process.
- The student should be able to make assumptions based on genetic data provided as pedigrees or allele frequencies.
- The student should be able to integrate knowledge learned in specific courses of Biology and Biochemistry.
- The student should be able to expose and explain, in a simple but rigorous manner, the biological and biochemical processes that are the basis of life.
- The student should be able to explain/describe the structure, functions and metabolism of the most important biological macromolecules, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates and their role in metabolic pathways.
- The student should be able to describe the eukaryotic cell both morphologically and functionally. In particular, the students should have acquired sufficient information to describe the process of protein synthesis, the regulation of gene expression and the biological variability induced by mutations and the recombination process.
- The student should be able to make assumptions based on genetic data provided as pedigrees or allele frequencies.
- The student should be able to integrate knowledge learned in specific courses of Biology and Biochemistry.
- The student should be able to expose and explain, in a simple but rigorous manner, the biological and biochemical processes that are the basis of life.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Prerequisites for admission
The prerequisites consist of chemical and biological knowledge needed to pass the entrance test to CdS
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam of the integrated course consists of a multiple-choice test with 55 questions:
· 25 in Biochemistry
· 20 in Biology
· 10 in Genetics
To pass the exam, it is necessary to achieve a passing grade in both teaching modules of the course. Results will be communicated through publication on the course website (MyARIEL platform).
· 25 in Biochemistry
· 20 in Biology
· 10 in Genetics
To pass the exam, it is necessary to achieve a passing grade in both teaching modules of the course. Results will be communicated through publication on the course website (MyARIEL platform).
Biochemistry
Course syllabus
Review of Chemistry: Chemical bonds, properties of carbon, functional groups, isomerism.
_Amino Acids and Proteins:
Structure and function. Enzymes: general properties, catalysis, kinetics and inhibition, regulation.
_Carbohydrates: Structure and function. Monosaccharides: classification, configuration, enantiomers, anomers. Disaccharides: the glycosidic bond. Polysaccharides: starch, cellulose, glycogen.
_Lipids: Structure and function. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Triglycerides. Phospholipids. Steroids: structure and functions of cholesterol.
_Nucleic Acids:Nucleosides and nucleotides.Structure of ATP, acetyl-CoA, and some adenine-containing coenzymes.
_General Principles of Metabolism: Catabolic and anabolic pathways. Basic thermodynamics. Principles of bioenergetics.
Carbohydrate Metabolism: Cellular respiration: glycolysis, citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, lactic fermentation.
Protein Metabolism: Urea cycle; overview of neurotransmitters and their biosynthesis.
Lipid Metabolism: Triglyceride metabolism; metabolic fates of acetyl-CoA; β-oxidation; ketone bodies; fatty acid biosynthesis.
_Amino Acids and Proteins:
Structure and function. Enzymes: general properties, catalysis, kinetics and inhibition, regulation.
_Carbohydrates: Structure and function. Monosaccharides: classification, configuration, enantiomers, anomers. Disaccharides: the glycosidic bond. Polysaccharides: starch, cellulose, glycogen.
_Lipids: Structure and function. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Triglycerides. Phospholipids. Steroids: structure and functions of cholesterol.
_Nucleic Acids:Nucleosides and nucleotides.Structure of ATP, acetyl-CoA, and some adenine-containing coenzymes.
_General Principles of Metabolism: Catabolic and anabolic pathways. Basic thermodynamics. Principles of bioenergetics.
Carbohydrate Metabolism: Cellular respiration: glycolysis, citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, lactic fermentation.
Protein Metabolism: Urea cycle; overview of neurotransmitters and their biosynthesis.
Lipid Metabolism: Triglyceride metabolism; metabolic fates of acetyl-CoA; β-oxidation; ketone bodies; fatty acid biosynthesis.
Teaching methods
The course consists of frontal lectures (20 hours in class for Biochemistry Module, and 30 hours in class for Biology and Genetic Module) during which the students can intervene with questions. All the lectures are supported by PowerPoint presentations, made available to the student on the ARIEL website. The textbook is recommended as a resource to help clarify concepts
Teaching Resources
M. V. Catani, I. Savini, P. Guerrieri, L. Avigliano "Appunti di biochimica" Ed.: Piccin.
R. Roberti, G. Alunni Bistocchi, C. Antognelli, V. N. Talesa "Biochimica e Biologia per le professioni sanitarie" Seconda Edizione Ed.: McGrawHill.
M. Samara, R. Paroni "Chimica e Biochimica per le lauree triennali dell'area biomedica" Ed.: PICCIN
D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox "Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger" Quinta edizione. Ed.: Zanichelli
R. Roberti, G. Alunni Bistocchi, C. Antognelli, V. N. Talesa "Biochimica e Biologia per le professioni sanitarie" Seconda Edizione Ed.: McGrawHill.
M. Samara, R. Paroni "Chimica e Biochimica per le lauree triennali dell'area biomedica" Ed.: PICCIN
D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox "Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger" Quinta edizione. Ed.: Zanichelli
Experimental biology
Course syllabus
Biological evolution through natural selection: Darwin and Wallace.
Structure and organization of the eukaryotic cell: cellular compartmentalization; cell organelles; ribosomes; cytoskeleton; junctions; Matrix.
Structure and function of biological membranes: fluid mosaic model; transport through the membrane.
Cellular communication: mode of communication between cells.
Cell cycle and its regulation: phases of the cycle; control system; apoptosis; the cancer cell.
The reproduction of living things: asexual and sexual reproduction; mitosis, meiosis and their comparison; gametogenesis; fertilization; differentiation.
DNA replication: central dogma of biology; Meselson and Stahl experiment; replication at the molecular level; DNA damage repair.
Transcription: various types of RNA; RNA synthesis; maturation of messenger RNAs.
Translation and genetic code: genetic code and its properties; protein synthesis mechanism; post-translational modifications.
The eukaryotic genome: chromatin structure; the nucleosome; gene structure (intron-exons); control of gene expression.
Virus: structure; bacterial, animal and plant viruses; cell-virus interactions.
Human chromosomes and their modes of segregation during mitosis and meiosis
o Organization of DNA and chromatin in the chromosomes
o The equational division of somatic cells
o Reduction of germ cell division
o Gametogenesis and fertilization
The Mendelian laws that regulate the transmission of genes: correlation between genotype and phenotype
o From gene to protein and phenotype: relationship between genotype and phenotype
o Allelic interactions: dominant alleles, recessive alleles and codominance
o Law of character segregation and independent assortment principle
The modes of transmission of monogenic traits in humans
o Examples of Mendelian inherited monogenic pathologies (Cystic fibrosis, thalassemia, deafness)
o Autosomal dominant and recessive inheritance
o Penetrance and expressiveness, multiple alleles (blood groups ABO, Rh).
o Sex-related legacy
o Mitochondrial inheritance
o Genetic heterogeneity
o Family trees
Structure and organization of the eukaryotic cell: cellular compartmentalization; cell organelles; ribosomes; cytoskeleton; junctions; Matrix.
Structure and function of biological membranes: fluid mosaic model; transport through the membrane.
Cellular communication: mode of communication between cells.
Cell cycle and its regulation: phases of the cycle; control system; apoptosis; the cancer cell.
The reproduction of living things: asexual and sexual reproduction; mitosis, meiosis and their comparison; gametogenesis; fertilization; differentiation.
DNA replication: central dogma of biology; Meselson and Stahl experiment; replication at the molecular level; DNA damage repair.
Transcription: various types of RNA; RNA synthesis; maturation of messenger RNAs.
Translation and genetic code: genetic code and its properties; protein synthesis mechanism; post-translational modifications.
The eukaryotic genome: chromatin structure; the nucleosome; gene structure (intron-exons); control of gene expression.
Virus: structure; bacterial, animal and plant viruses; cell-virus interactions.
Human chromosomes and their modes of segregation during mitosis and meiosis
o Organization of DNA and chromatin in the chromosomes
o The equational division of somatic cells
o Reduction of germ cell division
o Gametogenesis and fertilization
The Mendelian laws that regulate the transmission of genes: correlation between genotype and phenotype
o From gene to protein and phenotype: relationship between genotype and phenotype
o Allelic interactions: dominant alleles, recessive alleles and codominance
o Law of character segregation and independent assortment principle
The modes of transmission of monogenic traits in humans
o Examples of Mendelian inherited monogenic pathologies (Cystic fibrosis, thalassemia, deafness)
o Autosomal dominant and recessive inheritance
o Penetrance and expressiveness, multiple alleles (blood groups ABO, Rh).
o Sex-related legacy
o Mitochondrial inheritance
o Genetic heterogeneity
o Family trees
Teaching methods
The course consists of frontal lectures (20 hours in class for Biochemistry Module, and 30 hours in class for Biology and Genetic Module) during which the students can intervene with questions. All the lectures are supported by PowerPoint presentations, made available to the student on the ARIEL website. The textbook is recommended as a resource to help clarify concepts
Teaching Resources
Sadava, Hillis, Heller, Berenbaum "Elementi di biologia e genetica" Ed.: Zanichelli.
Campbell, Reece " Biologia & Genetica. Ed.: Pearson.
De Leo, Ginelli, Fasano " Biologia e Genetica". Ed.: Edises
Campbell, Reece " Biologia & Genetica. Ed.: Pearson.
De Leo, Ginelli, Fasano " Biologia e Genetica". Ed.: Edises
Modules or teaching units
Biochemistry
BIOS-07/A - Biochemistry - University credits: 2
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Ottria Roberta
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Ottria Roberta
Experimental biology
BIOS-10/A - Cellular and Experimental Biology - University credits: 3
Lessons: 30 hours
Professor:
Biasin Mara
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Biasin MaraProfessor(s)