00061 - Biochemistry

Learning outcomes

The student should acquire the knowledge of the basic molecular and metabolic 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 metabolic processes underneath movement and training.

Course contents

COURSE MODULE 1

BASIC CHEMISTRY

Atoms and ions. Chemical bonds. Molecules and chemical formula. Water. Solutions. Acids and bases. The pH scale. The chemistry of carbon. Bioelements.

COURSE MODULE 2

BIOMOLECULES

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

CELL BIOPHYSICS AND BIOENERGETICS
Chemical reactions. Enzymes. Biophisics. Bioenergetics. Energy and cells. Structure, and function of ATP. Anaerobic mechanisms. The respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.

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

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

CELL SIGNALING AND INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM
Cell communication and cell signaling. Ligands and receptors. Basic signal transduction. Hormones and cellular cross talking. Basic biochemistry of main hormones. Catecholamines. Glucagon. Insulin. IGF-I. Growth hormone. Myostatin. Adipokines. Thyroid hormones. Steroid hormones. Regulation of Calcium homeostasis. Catabolism and anabolism. Metabolic regulation. Transport across biological membranes. A survey of metabolism. Main characteristics of blood, muscle, liver, brain and adipose tissue.

COURSE MODULE 1

THE METABOLISM
Carbohydrate metabolism. Regulation of blood glucose. Transport and fate of glucose in the cell. Glycogenolysis and glycogenosynthesis. Glycolisis. The fate of pyruvate. Formation of lactate. Regulation and energetic of glycolysis. The pentose phosphate pathway. Gluconeogenesis. The conversion of pyruvate into glucose. Gluconeogenetic precursors.
The citric acid cycle. The formation of acetyl-CoA. Reactions and scope of the citric acid cycle. Regulation of the cycle. Energy production.
Lipid Metabolism. Triacylglicerols and adipocytes. Lipolysis and transport. Cellular metabolism of fatty acids. The role of carnitine. The oxidation of fatty acids. Energetics of beta-oxidation. Formation of ketone bodies. The biosynthesis of lipids. The synthesis of fatty acids and its regulation. Essential fatty acids. Leptin. Metabolism of cholesterol.
Metabolism of amino acids and proteins. The amino acid pool. A survey of amino acid metabolism. Protein turnover. Hormonal regulation of protein synthesis and degradation: catabolic and anabolic effectors. Proteins as amino acid source. Transamination. Oxidative deamination. The fate of ammonia and the urea cycle. Ketogenetic and glucogenetic amino acids. Metabolism of branched chain amino acids.

EXERCISE BIOCHEMISTRY
Muscle biochemistry and metabolism during exercise.Energy demand and energy stores in the muscle cell. Muscle glycogen. Intramuscle triacylglicerols. The role of phosphocreatine. Function of myokinase. Classification and metabolic characteristics of muscle fibers. The red muscle. The white muscle. Aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms: the bioergonic systems. ATP synthesis during anaerobic activity. The recycling of lactate. The Cori cycle. Glucose-alanine cycle. Biochemisry and training.

Readings/Bibliography

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

Don MacLaren - Biochemistry for Sport and Exercise Metabolism

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures.

Assessment methods

The learning assessment is conducted through a written final exam at the end of lessons (22 multiple choice questions plus 2 specific questions about general biochemistry and metabolic biochemistry).

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities may contact the University's SLD and Disability Support Office to request any necessary accommodations for the examination.

https://www.unibo.it/en/campus-rimini/campus-services/urp/disabled-and-dyslexic-students

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a valuable tool to support individual learning by providing explanations, summaries, and self-assessment activities. However, during in-person examinations, the use of AI is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI during an examination constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

All teaching materials are available in the VIRTUALE repository.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Fornari

See the website of Claudio Stefanelli