00061 - Biochemistry

Learning outcomes

The learning goal of this course is to give students the knowledge necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie the life and the transformations of organic compounds. At the end of the course, the student should be able to understand the structural characteristics of biological molecules (proteins, lipids and carbohydrate) and enzyme functionality.

Course contents

Biological chemistry and biomolecules.

Carbohydrates: monosaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides.

Lipids: simple, complex, and derived lipids.

Water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins: structure, properties, biological role.

Nucleic acids: structure and function of DNA and RNA. Overview on DNA duplication, transcription and translation.

Proteins and amino acids: amino acid structure, peptide bond. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Biological functions of proteins: hemoglobin and oxygen transport.

Enzymes: catalytic power, specificity, and regulation. Coenzymes, cofactors and prosthetic groups. Enzyme specificity and regulation. Kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions: Michaelis-Menten model. Enzyme inhibition. Allosteric enzymes. Regulation of enzyme activity.

Metabolism: Catabolism and anabolism. Regulation and compartmentalization.

Glycolysis and its regulation. Gluconeogenesis and its regulation. Glycogen metabolism. Pentose phosphate pathway.

The TCA cycle.

Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.

Photosynthesis.

Fatty acid metabolism: fatty acid β-oxidation. Glyoxylate cycle. Ketone bodies. Fatty acid biosynthesis.

Nitrogen metabolism: amino acid catabolism, transamination, and oxidative deamination. Urea cycle.

Readings/Bibliography

Textbooks:

Terry A. Brown “Conoscere la biochimica” Zanichelli.

Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt “Principi di biochimica” Zanichelli.

David L. Nelson e Michael M. Cox “I principi di biochimica di Lehninger” Zanichelli.

Gabriele D'Andrea “Biochimica essenziale” EdiSES.

Dean R. Appling, Spencer J. Anthony-Cahill, Christopher K. Mathews “Biochimica. Molecole e metabolismo” Pearson.

Lincoln Taiz and Eduardo Zeiger “Fisiologia Vegetale” Piccin.

Roberto Pinton, Maurizio Cocucci, Paolo Nannipieri, Marco Trevisan “Fondamenti di biochimica agraria” Pàtron Editore.

Hans-Walter Heldt and Birgit Piechulla “Plant Biochemistry” 4th edition, Academic Press.

Recommended bibliography to deepen the biochemistry knowledge:

N.A. Michael Eskin and Fereidoon Shahidi “Biochemistry of Foods” 3rd edition, Academic Press.

Fatih Yildiz “Advances in Food Biochemistry” 1st edition, CRC Press.

Teaching methods

Lectures.

Update. Online lessons using Microsoft Teams during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Assessment methods

Multiple-choice questions.

Update. The exam takes place in written form using the online platforms EOL and Zoom until the COVID-19 outbreak is end. The online test can be run only on a computer with audio, microphone, and webcam. It is not possible to use tablets, smartphones, or other mobile devices. During the test, it is mandatory to keep the webcam active and share the screen via Zoom app.

Zoom app must be installed and tested in advance, before the exam. Download the Zoom app and log in with the University credentials (@studio.unibo.it) following the University ‘s instructions (‘How to take a written exam online via Zoom’). Pay attention to login in "Sign in with SSO" and enter the domain “unibo”.zoom.us.

Test the functioning of webcam and microphone on the Zoom platform in advance (follow the instructions 'Joining a test meeting'). For Mac user, please check in advance how to enable screen sharing and allow screen recording.

Students that are unable to meet these conditions should contact the teacher at least 15 days before the exam.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides. Audio-visual aids. e-learning platforms.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Danesi