To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

Objectives:
To transmit the main chemical principles to allow comprehension of the mechanisms that control matter interaction. To explain macromolecules organization and the principle of metabolism to understand factors that regulate the main metabolic pathways. Emphasis will be on physiological and pathological processes associated to the main biochemical functions.

Program

Biochemistry programme

Chemistry

The matter: atoms, molecules.
Atomic organization: atomic orbitals, energy levels
Periodic table of the elements
Chemical bound: covalent, ionic. Week interactions: hydrogen bond, van der Waals, hydrophobic interaction.
Molecules: water. Properties and interactions in water.
Solutions: definitions and concentrations (Molarity), osmosis.
Buffer, pH.
Chemical reactions: red/ox.
Thermodynamic: Free energy (G), energetic potential of ATP, coupled reactions.

Biochemistry

Proteins: amino acids, peptide bound. Protein structures.
Post translational modifications. Quality control for secreted proteins.
Enzymes: kinetic, mechanism of action. Enzymatic inhibition. Allosteric regulation.
Nucleic acids: nucleotides, DNA, RNA
Sugars: simple and complex sugars. sugar bond, polysaccharides (starch and glycogen).
Glycoproteins: blood groups.
Membranes: properties, phospholipids, double layer.
Lipids: fatty acids, cholesterol.

Metabolism.
general principles, regulations, hormones, vitamins.
Sugar metabolism: glycolysis, regulations, alcohol fermentation, lactic fermentation. Pentose cycle.
Citric acid cycle: oxidative phosphorylation, ATP synthase
Gluconeogenesis.
Fatty acid metabolism: fatty acid digestion, beta oxidation, ketone bodies.
Fatty acid synthesis
Protein metabolism: transamination. Urea cycle.
Protein biosynthesis.

Examination Methods

Multiple choice