00061 - Biochemistry

Learning outcomes

During the course the student should acquire the knowledge of the basic molecular processes characterizing the cell functions. At the end of the lessons the student will know the chemical structure and the organization of main biomolecules. Furthermore, the student will understand the bioenergetics of living organisms and the mechanisms of energy production. Aim of this course is to supply the students with the basic knowledge required to understand the metabolism and the molecular processes that underlie movement and training.

Course contents

1. BASIC CHEMISTRY

Atoms and ions. The chemical bond. Molecules and chemical formula. Proprieties of water. Aqueous solutions. Acids and base. The pH scale.  The chemistry of carbon. Bioelements.

2. BIOMOLECULES

Structure and function of the main biomolecules. Carbohydrates.  Lipids. Amino acids and proteins Nucleotides and nucleic acids

3. CELL BIOPHYSICS AND BIOENERGETICS

Enzymes and chemical reactions. Bioenergetics. Energy and cells. Structure, function and formation of ATP. The respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.

4. OXYGEN BIOCHEMISTRY

Oxygen-binding proteins . Hemoglobin. Red cells and erithropoietin. Myoglobin. Reactive Oxygen Species. Antioxidants and defense mechanisms.

5. MUSCLE BIOCHEMISTRY

The skeletal muscle fibers. Molecular mechanism of muscle contraction. Introduction to physical exercise.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Di Giulio, Fiorilli, Stefanelli. Biochimica per le Scienze motorie. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana 2011

Nelson, Cox.  Lehninger princples of Biochemistry. Worth Publishers. 3th edition

V. Mougios Exercise Biochemistry, Human Kinetics Publishers. First edition.

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures (48 hours)

Assessment methods

The learning assessment is conducted through a final examination at the end of lessons. The exam consist of a witten test (multiple choice questions) plus a few general questions. The course unit of Biochemistry is part of the integrated course of "Human biochemistry and nutrition" (together with other units "Metabolic Biochemistry" and "Human Nutrition). The final vote of the integrated course results from the mean of the scores obtained in the three course units. 

Teaching tools

All slides shown during the lessons are available in Campus  ( https://campus.cib.unibo.it/cgi/users/home  )

Links to further information

http://www.unibo.it/docenti/claudio.stefanelli

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Stefanelli