00061 - Biochemistry

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the students acquire the basal knowledge on the function and structure of biomolecules and biological macromolecules, on their metabolism in animals and on the main analytical methods in the biochemistry lab. In detail, the student is able to exploit the acquired biochemical notions to understand: the fundamental biochemical strategies in monogastric animals and  ruminants; the mechanisms of uptake, transformation and use of nutrients, excretion of catabolites and xenobiotics, the basic principles of the interconversion, storage and use of chemical energy.

Course contents

Constitution and organization of living matter. Biomolecules: structure and function of lipids, glucides, nucleotides and nucleic acids, aminoacids and proteins. Coenzymes and vitamins. Enzymes and basic concepts of enzyme kinetics. Allosteric regulation: haemoglobin. Biomembranes: structure, function and transport systems. General pattern of animal metabolism. Glucids: digestion, absorption and overall metabolism. Glycolysis and fermentations. Krebs cycle as metabolic core. Basic concepts of bioenergetics: energy conversion and utilization. ATP structure and function. Respiratory chain and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Photosynthesis and comparison with mitochondrial respiration. Pentose cycle. Gluconeogenesis. Gycogen metabolism. Lipids: digestion, absorption and overall metabolism.  Fatty acids: beta-oxidation and biosynthesis. Chetogenesis. Biosynthesis of triglycerides and cholesterol (overview).  Aminoacids and proteins: digestion, absorption, transport and catabolism. Nucleotides and nucleic acids: biosynthesis of nucleotides (overview), DNA duplication and RNA synthesis. Protein synthesis. Gene regulation. Metabolic peculiarities of ruminants.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended books:

•  Biomolecules: K.J. Denniston, J.J. Topping, R.L. Caret. Chimica generale, chimica organica, propedeutica biochimica. McGraw-Hill 2012

• M.Stefani, N. Taddei. Chimica & Biochimica, Zanichelli 2017

Deepening in metabolic aspects:

• D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox. Introduzione alla Biochimica di Lehninger. VI ed Zanichelli. 2018.

Other useful books:

• D.L. Ferrier Le basi della biochimica Zanichelli 2015
• M.K.Campbell, S.O. Farrell. Biochimica Edises 2012

Free online books:

• K. Ahern, I. Rajagobal, T.Tan Biochemistry free for all 2016
• K. Ahern & I. Rajagobal Biochemistry free & Easy

 can be downloaded here:

http://http//biochem.science.oregonstate.edu/content/biochemistry-free-and-easy

Lesson slides available on-line.

Teaching methods

The subjects of the programme will be presented and illustrated with the aid of slides, videos and animations. Practicals and tutorials on selected subjects will be carried out also with the aid of molecular models.

Assessment methods

The class is part of the Integrated Course Chemistry and Biochemistry, which also embraces Chemistry. The final score of the exam is based on the synthesis of the evaluations of the two courses of the integrated course. The examining board is composed by the teachers of the two courses. To access the final oral test of Biochemistry, students should have previously passed Chemistry from less than 18 months. The final oral test of Biochemistry may be integrated by a non-mandatory written test on the whole programme of biochemistry. The written test, a few days after the end of the lessons, aims at evaluating the learning acquired during the lessons. It will be only valid for six months. The open-answer written test requires the description of three topics in two hours.  In case of positive judgement, the written test is taken into account as acquired knowledge; in all other cases the final exam could be taken anyway, being the knowledge of missing or insufficiently described topics orally ascertained.  Other than assessing the learning of programme contents, the final oral test, which will last 5-30min, depending on the evaluation of the written test, aims at evaluating the capability of  mutually connecting the acquired notions. Accordingly, the knowledge on biomolecules should be linked to metabolic transformations, nutrient pathways and the fundamental biochemical strategies in the animal world, pointing out the connections with other disciplines of the degree course.

Students who did practicals in the classroom during the course will have 1-3 extra points in the evaluation of biochemistry.

Students wishing to take the exam and/or the written test of biochemistry in English should e-mail inform the teacher at least two days before.

Since it is an Integrated Course, the final mark will be the mean of the marks of Chemistry and of Biochemistry and the mark will be registered by Alessandra Pagliarani

Teaching tools

Videoprojector, PC, molecular models

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Pagliarani