65951 - 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

Module 1

1. Biological chemistry and biomolecules

• Characteristics and properties of biomolecules
• The properties of water, pH, ionic equilibra, buffers
• Overview of cell organization

2. Carbohydrates

• Structure and properties of monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides

3. Lipids

• Structure and properties of simple and complex lipids

4. Nucleic acids

• Structure and functions of DNA and RNA

5. Amino acids and proteins

• Classification of amino acids
• The peptide bond, structural organization of proteins
• Functions of proteins
• Hemoglobin and oxygen transport

6. 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

Module 2

1. Metabolism

• Catabolism and anabolism
• Organisation and compartmentalisation of metabolic pathways
• Regulation of metabolic pathways

2. Carbohydrate metabolism

• Glycolysis and its regulation
• Gluconeogenesis and its regulation
• Glycogen metabolism: glycogen synthesis and glycogenolysis
• Pentose phosphate pathway
• Tricarboxylic acid cycle

3. Lipid metabolism

• β-oxidation of fatty acids
• Ketogenesis: significance of ketone bodies and their utilization
• Biosynthesis of fatty acids

4. Nitrogen metabolism

• Amino acid metabolism
• Transamination and oxidative deamination reactions
• Urea cycle

5. Nucleic acid metabolism

• Mechanisms of nucleic acid duplication and transcription

6. Respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation

• Organization of the electron transport chain
• Oxidative phosphorylation: ATP synthase, chemiosmotic mechanism of ATP synthesis

Readings/Bibliography

Required readings:

• Brown "Conoscere la Biochimica" Zanichelli
• Nelson & Cox "Introduzione alla Biochimica di Lehninger" Zanichelli
• Nelson & Cox "I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger" Zanichelli

Recommended and further reading:

• Bassi, Boffi, de Curtis, Degano, Di Liegro, Ientile, Vigetti, Zocchi "Biochimica" Edi.Ermes
• Nelson & Cox "Fondamenti di Biochimica di Lehninger" Zanichelli
• Abali, Cline, Franklin, Viselli "Le Basi della Biochimica" Zanichelli
• Berg, Tymoczko, Gatto, Stryer "Biochimica" Zanichelli
• Arienti "Le Basi Molecolari della Nutrizione" Piccin

Teaching methods

Lectures. Class quizzes.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of a single written exam taken in the Computer Lab (45 minutes).

Exam format:

• 10 multiple-choice questions (3 points each)
• 2 open-ended questions (0-6 points each)
• Maximum score: 42 points

Grading:

• Pass: 18+ points (18/30)
• Honors: 42 points (30/30 with honors)
• Incorrect/blank answers: 0 points

Results: Pass/fail shown immediately.

Final grades (average of both modules) sent by email after conversion to 30-point scale.

Registration: Use AlmaEsami for exam registration and schedule.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides. Audio-visual aids. e-learning platforms (Wooclap).

Materials are available to students in the e-learning platform.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Danesi

See the website of Alessandra Bordoni