66609 - Biochemistry

Learning outcomes

The course has as its main objective to give the student the necessary knowledge to understand the molecular mechanisms that are the basis of life and the transformations of organic compounds. At the end of the course, the student must be able to understand the structural characteristics of molecules of biological interest (proteins, lipids and sugars) and the functionality of enzymes.

Course contents

Biological chemistry and biomolecules: chemical elements that compose biomolecules, properties of biomolecules. Overview of cellular organization.

Carbohydrates: structure and properties of monosaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides.

Lipids: structure and properties of simple lipids and complex lipids.

Overview of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins: structure and biological role.

Nucleic acids: structure and functions of DNA and RNA. Overview of nucleic acid replication and transcription mechanisms.

Amino acids and proteins: classification of amino acids. The peptide bond, structural organization of proteins. Functions of proteins. Hemoglobin and oxygen transport.

Enzymes: functions, definition of coenzymes, cofactors and prosthetic groups, formation of the enzyme-substrate complex, transition state, activation energy of catalyzed reactions. Enzyme kinetics: Michaelis-Menten model. Enzyme inhibition. Allosteric enzymes.

Metabolism: Catabolism and anabolism, organization of metabolic pathways, compartmentalization of metabolic pathways, regulation of metabolic pathways.

Carbohydrate metabolism: Glycolysis and its regulation. Gluconeogenesis and its regulation. Overview of the pentose phosphate pathway. Citric acid cycle. Electron transport chain. Oxidative phosphorylation. Photosynthesis.

Lipid metabolism: β-oxidation of fatty acids. Fatty acid biosynthesis. Glyoxylate cycle.

Nitrogen metabolism: general scheme of amino acid metabolism, transamination and oxidative deamination reactions. Urea cycle.

Secondary Metabolism: Biochemistry, color, and aroma of wine. Terpenes, Mevalonate Pathway. Phenylpropanoids, Shikimic Acid Pathway.

Readings/Bibliography

Textbooks:

• Brown "Conoscere la Biochimica" Zanichelli
• Nelson e Cox "Introduzione alla Biochimica di Lehninger" Zanichelli
• Nelson e Cox "I Principi di Biochimica di Lehinger"  Zanichelli
• "Fisiologia Vegetale" [https://www.piccin.it/it/botanica/1877-fisiologia-vegetale-9788829921577.html] di Lincoln Taiz e Eduardo Zeiger – Piccin.

Recommended bibliography to deepen the biochemistry knowledge:

• Bassi, Boffi, de Curtis, Degano, Di Liegro, Ientile, Vigetti, Zocchi "Biochimica" Edi.Ermes
• Nelson e Cox "Fondamenti di Biochimica di Lehninger" Zanichelli
• Abali, Cline, Franklin, Viselli "Le Basi della Biochimica" Zanichelli
• Berg, Tymoczko, Gatto, Stryer "Biochimica" Zanichelli
• "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants " 2° edizione, di Bob B. Buchanan, Wilhelm Gruissem e Russell L. Jones – John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Teaching methods

Lectures. Anonymous review quizzes in class. Laboratory exercises. Attendance at lectures is strongly recommended as it facilitates learning through active participation in discussions, acquisition of practical examples, and the possibility of direct clarification with the instructor on the more complex topics.

This appears to be describing the teaching methods and attendance policy for the biochemistry course.

Assessment methods

To take the exam, it is mandatory to register on the lists published on AlmaEsami. The exam session calendar can be found here. The exam takes place exclusively in person at the Computer Lab and consists of a computerized test with 22 multiple-choice questions. For each question, only one answer is correct. The scoring system is as follows: 4 points for each correct answer, -1 point for each wrong answer, and 0 points for omitted answers. Students have 30 minutes to complete the test. To pass the exam, a minimum score of 28 points is required, which corresponds to a grade of 18/30. 30 cum laude is awarded for scores from 83 to 88. At the end of the test, the system will immediately communicate whether the test has been passed or not. Subsequently, the score will be converted to a thirty-point scale and the grade will be communicated via email by the instructor. Note for students with learning disabilities (DSA) Requests for exam accommodations must be submitted to the instructors, with a copy to the Service for students with DSA  (dsa@unibo.it), with adequate advance notice, at least 15 days before the exam date. In case of requests submitted independently with less advance notice, there is no guarantee that it will actually be possible to have any type of accommodation for the exam. Note for non-attending students For exam preparation, it is necessary to use:

• All the teaching materials available on the Virtual platform
• The textbooks indicated in the bibliography Note for participation in laboratory exercises To access the laboratories, it is mandatory to have obtained certificates from the safety courses 'Module 1 - General Training' and 'Module 2 - Specific Training for Low Risk' and to bring a lab coat. The safety courses can be taken online, independently (both in Italian and English).

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations. Projection of audio/video materials.

The teaching materials used in class are available at https://virtuale.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Mattia Santoni