Teaching code

4S011749

Teacher

Alessandra Astegno

Coordinator

Alessandra Astegno

Credits

9

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY

Period

FARMACIA 1° semestre dal Oct 1, 2024 al Dec 20, 2024.

Courses Single

Not Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The General Biochemistry Course has the educational objective of enabling the student to acquire the basic knowledge on the structure and function of the main classes of biomolecules which are indispensable for the optimal understanding of the vital processes of cells and organisms, with particular reference to the processes metabolic processes, their regulation and the mechanisms of conservation, synthesis and use of metabolic energy. The course aims to offer the basis for the course of Clinical Biochemistry and is intended as a preparatory course for courses relating to pathologies and their treatments. At the end of the course the student should develop an independent capacity for judgment and critical reasoning demonstrating mastery of biochemical-metabolic concepts, both in physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, the student must have acquired a specialized terminology such as to allow him to communicate all the concepts learned (to specialists and non-specialists), in both oral and written form. The notions acquired will favor the development of an independent student in finding and consulting the material necessary for continuous updating, which can be exploited both in a professional context and in subsequent studies.

Prerequisites and basic notions

In order to effectively understand and follow the course, it is helpful for the student to have a solid knowledge of basic elements of general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and cell biology.

Program

Properties Characterizing Living Systems: An introduction to the unique features that define living organisms. Biological Molecules: Overview of the hierarchy among biological molecules, with simple molecules as the building blocks of complex structures. Water and Buffer Systems Amino Acids and Their Properties. Proteins: Biological functions and structure (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary levels). Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics: Mechanisms controlling enzymatic activity. Oxygen Transport and Storage: The roles of hemoglobin and myoglobin. Structure-Function Relationship of hemoglobin and myoglobin. Bioenergetics: Basic thermodynamic concepts and the significance of coupled processes in living systems. ATP and High-Energy Compounds: Group transfer potential and energy charge. Metabolism: Central metabolic pathways and energy metabolism, including separate degradative and biosynthetic pathways. Oxidations as a source of metabolic energy. Key Mechanisms of Metabolic Control. Glycolysis: General aspects and the metabolic fates of NADH and pyruvate. Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle (TCA) and Oxidative Decarboxylation of Pyruvate: The TCA cycle as a source of intermediates for biosynthetic pathways. Anaplerotic reactions. Electron Transport and Oxidative Phosphorylation: Reduction potentials, electron transport chain complexes, thermodynamic approach to the chemiosmotic coupling hypothesis, ATP synthase, and shuttle systems for cytosolic NADH transport into mitochondria. Gluconeogenesis, Glycogen Metabolism, and Hormonal Regulation. Hormones and Second Messengers: cAMP and G-proteins. Beta-Oxidation of Saturated Fatty Acids with Even-Numbered Carbon Atoms. Pentose Phosphate Pathway: Reactions and regulation. Nitrogen Metabolism: Transamination reactions, the fate of amino acid carbon skeletons, fate of the amino group, and the urea cycle.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Topics are covered by in-class lectures.

Learning assessment procedures

The exam consists of an oral examination (30-40 minutes) aimed at verifying both the acquisition of knowledge defined in the 'Obiettivi Formativi' of the course and the ability to make necessary logical-deductive connections. The exam typically consists of three to five questions related to the course curriculum.

Evaluation criteria

To pass the exam, the students must demonstrate that they have fully achieved the set learning objectives.
The completeness and accuracy of the acquired knowledge, as well as the ability to present and demonstrate critical thinking, will be evaluated.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade depends exclusively on the oral interview. The evaluation of the exam is expressed out of thirty, the minimum mark for passing the exam is 18/30 and the maximum mark is 30/30, to which "honors" can be added (30 cum laude).

Exam language

italiano