BIOCHEMISTRY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Basic knowledge of cell biology and general and organic chemistry are requested.
The examination is organized in a written test (eventually in remote turning) concerning quantitative biochemistry and knowledge of macromolecules (four open questions and two exercises, 90 minutes).
Passed the written part, the student can access the oral examination, which is aimed to verify the knowledge of the metabolism.
The final score of the course is also given in 30ies and is the average of the scores of each part: the examination is successful if a score ≥ 18/30 is gained in each examination.
The course of Biochemistry is part of the molecular preparation of the student in Biology. The course is aimed to introduce the student into the understanding of the structure-function relationships of biological macromolecules, of the molecular mechanisms of the biological processes and their regulation. The description of the metabolism will be performed both at the qualitative and quantitative level.
Learning outcomes
At conclusion of this course the student will:
1. know the fundamental elements of biology of cell and living organisms and of biological chemistry; this will represent the starting point to understand the physiological mechanisms of assumption, transformation and elimination of food materials;
2. use the acquired knowledge related to the molecular bases of functioning of human organism and of the integration with the environment;
3. catch the relationships between biological macromolecules and metabolism, even related to pathological states or to potential biotechnological applications;
4. understand and critically discuss the experimental results:
5. resume and show the biological information with adequate scientific language and autonomy of judgment (even at mathematical and graphical level).
Biological macromolecules: elementary composition of living organisms; water and water solutions; amino acids and proteins; carbohydrates; lipids; nucleotides and nucleic acids.
The metabolism: the enzymes; introduction to the metabolism; thermodynamics.
Metabolism of carbohydrates: photosynthesis; Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation; metabolism of lipids; metabolism of proteins; metabolism of nucleotides.
Integration of metabolism and cell signalling: mechanisms of metabolic control.
Mechanisms of signaling.
Information metabolism: DNA replication; DNA transcription; protein synthesis.
Tutorials (quantitative biochemistry).
Slides of lessons: from the Elearning website
Exercises: from the Elearning website
Books: (one of the following):
Pollegioni FONDAMENTI DI BIOCHIMICA, Edises
Berg J., Timoczcko J.L., Stryer L., “BIOCHEMISTRY” (Zanichelli/Wiley)
Voet D., Voet J.G. Pratt C.W., “FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOCHEMISTRY” (Wiley)
Nelson D.L., Cox M.M., “Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry” (Cox)
Matthews, Van Holde, Ahern, BIOCHIMICA, CEA
Baynes, Dominiczak, BIOCHIMICA PER LE DISCIPLINE BIOMEDICHE, Elsevier
Campbell, Farrell, BIOCHIMICA, EdiSES
Maccarrone Fondamenti di biochimica umana, Zanichelli
Class lessons (with Power Point presentations) with presentation and critical analysis of specific physiological and pathological conditions: 56 hours
Class tutorials: 12 hours
Students can meet with the professor in his office (via Dunant 3, Varese, yellow floor) by previous phone or email appointment.