Teaching code

4S000967

Teacher

Riccardo Montioli

Coordinator

Riccardo Montioli

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY

Period

2° semestre dal Mar 1, 2023 al May 27, 2023.

Location

VERONA

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

This course aims to introduce the students to the comprehension of the biochemical processes essential for both cell and organism functions. The student will need to acquire the necessary knowledges to the under-standing to the chemical transformations, essential requirement for the study of the structure-function relation-ships of the biological macromolecules and of metabolism. This will be correlated to specific features of molecules and of metabolic pathways involved in physical exercise.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Elements of general and organic chemistry

Program

Proteins. The amino acids. Peptide bond. Structural levels of proteins. Collagen. Keratin. Myoglobin and hemoglobin. Myosin and actin. Structure of thick and thin filaments. The antibodies.
Enzymes. Chemical reactions and reaction speed. Catalysis. Coenzymes: functional significance and relationship to water-soluble vitamins. Mechanism of action of enzymes. Enzyme kinetics.
Nucleotides. Structure and functions of nucleotides. Nucleic acids. Coenzymes. The adenylic nucleotides.
Carbohydrates. Monosaccharides. Natural oligosaccharides. Polysaccharides. Glycogen.
Metabolism. Equilibrium of reaction. Compounds with bonds to high energy content and accoppiate. Catabolism and anabolism.
Metabolismo carbohydrates. Digestion of carbohydrates. Glycolysis. Glycogenolysis, glycogen synthesis. Pentose phosphate pathway. Gluco (neo) genesis. Hormonal regulation of the Glucose level. Lactic and alcoholic fermentation of the piruvate. Krebs cycle. Respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Catabolism energy balance of glucides.
Lipids. The fatty acids. Essential fatty acids. The triglycerides. Lipid membrane phospholipids. Cholesterol. Digestion of fats. Lipids delivery. Lipoproteins. Lipid metabolism. Role of carnitine. Catabolism of fatty acids: in beta oxidation of fatty acids. Formation of ketone bodies: physiological significance and their effect on the acid-base. Catabolism energy balance of fatty acids.
Synthesis of fatty acids. FAS complex. Metabolism of cholesterol
Metabolism of proteins. Protein digestion. General amino acid catabolism. Transamination, deamination and decarboxylation reactions. Fate of the amino acid skeleton: glucogenic and ketogenic amino acids. Urea cycle.
Outline about the mechanisms of action. Muscle metabolism and interrelationships with other tissues. Myofibrillar proteins and regulatory proteins. muscle contraction. energy sources of the muscle cell. The function of phosphocreatine. aerobic and anaerobic metabolism. sources of energy during muscle activity. Muscle glycogen. Interrelations with the liver. The Cori cycle. The glucose-alanine cycle. energy needs of the neuron. Ketone bodies and muscle protein as energy sources.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Face-to-face lessons with the possibility of interacting directly with the teacher. In case of isolation due to Covid positivity:
1) fill in the self-certification form (see University instructions) 2) contact the teacher using your institutional email for recovery / support methods

Learning assessment procedures

A written test consisting of:
- 10 multiple choice questions (assessment of basic knowledge)
- a metabolic mechanism
- 2 open questions

Evaluation criteria

correctness, clarity, rigor and argumentative logic

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

- 1.5 points for each multiple choice question
- Up to 7 points for the metabolic mechanism
- Up to 5 points for each of the open questions

Exam language

Italiano