Biochemistry
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
General aims of the course:
1.To introduce students to the molecular design of life, including structural and biological properties of the main constituents of organisms;
2. To describe the molecular basis of the main biological processes, with particular emphasis on the metabolic fate of the lipidic, proteic and glycidic components of food and the role of vitamins;
3. To introduce students to the main molecular biology mechanisms, including DNA replication, RNA and protein synthesis;
4. To introduce basic laboratory biochemical techniques
1.To introduce students to the molecular design of life, including structural and biological properties of the main constituents of organisms;
2. To describe the molecular basis of the main biological processes, with particular emphasis on the metabolic fate of the lipidic, proteic and glycidic components of food and the role of vitamins;
3. To introduce students to the main molecular biology mechanisms, including DNA replication, RNA and protein synthesis;
4. To introduce basic laboratory biochemical techniques
Expected learning outcomes
1- Knowledge and understanding: Students will acquire basic knowledge on the structure and function of the most
relevant biomolecules, including macromolecules, and of the main biological processes operating in animal cell, with special emphasis on the biological fate of the main components of nutrients and the mechanisms of energy production and storage; presentation of the basic mechanisms of molecular biology will result in understanding processes leading to the expression of genetic information.
2-Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course the student must be able to distinguish the main metabolic fates of the proteic, lipidic and glycidic components of food, with particular emphasis on their relative role in energy production and storage. This basic knowledge will be indispensable in the courses of subsequent years, related to animal welfare. Knowledge of the theoretical and practical principles of basic biochemical techniques will allow understanding their importance in the analysis of biological samples and food.
relevant biomolecules, including macromolecules, and of the main biological processes operating in animal cell, with special emphasis on the biological fate of the main components of nutrients and the mechanisms of energy production and storage; presentation of the basic mechanisms of molecular biology will result in understanding processes leading to the expression of genetic information.
2-Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course the student must be able to distinguish the main metabolic fates of the proteic, lipidic and glycidic components of food, with particular emphasis on their relative role in energy production and storage. This basic knowledge will be indispensable in the courses of subsequent years, related to animal welfare. Knowledge of the theoretical and practical principles of basic biochemical techniques will allow understanding their importance in the analysis of biological samples and food.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Theoretical lectures (56 hours)
Amino acids, proteins and structural levels of proteins (3 hours)
Biological membranes and transport across membranes (4 hours)
Oxygen-transporting proteins (4 hours)
Collagen (1 hour)
Enzymes: kinetics and mechanisms of regulation, zymogens (4 hours)
Molecular mechanisms of digestion, absorption and transport of the main nutritionally relevant classes of compounds (6 hours)
Metabolism of carbohydrates: glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, metabolism of glycogen, gluoconeogenesis, biosynthesis of lactose (8 hours)
Metabolism of lipids: metabolism of fatty acids and ketone bodies, overview of metabolism of triacylglicerols, phosphoglycerids, sfingolipids, cholesterol and steroids (6 hours)
Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (4 hours)
Metabolism of amino acids: amino acid degradation and the urea cycle, overview of nitrogen fixation and amino acid biosynthesis (3 hours)
Overview of metabolism of nucleotides (2 hours)
Integration of metabolism and overview of hormonal control of metabolism (2 hours)
Vitamins (1 hour)
Molecular biology: structure and function of nucleic acids, genetic code, DNA replication, transcription and post-transcriptional modifications, protein synthesis and post-translational modifications (8 hours)
Exercitations and seminars (16 h)
Exercizes on topics concerning general chemistry (chemical equilibrium, bioenergetics, dissociation constants, buffers) and basic organic chemistry of biomolecules (6 hours)
Seminars on practical use of enzymes, oxidative stress, recombinant proteins, biochemistry of fermentations, proteomics, basic concepts of analytical methods based on spectrophotometry (10 hours)
Amino acids, proteins and structural levels of proteins (3 hours)
Biological membranes and transport across membranes (4 hours)
Oxygen-transporting proteins (4 hours)
Collagen (1 hour)
Enzymes: kinetics and mechanisms of regulation, zymogens (4 hours)
Molecular mechanisms of digestion, absorption and transport of the main nutritionally relevant classes of compounds (6 hours)
Metabolism of carbohydrates: glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, metabolism of glycogen, gluoconeogenesis, biosynthesis of lactose (8 hours)
Metabolism of lipids: metabolism of fatty acids and ketone bodies, overview of metabolism of triacylglicerols, phosphoglycerids, sfingolipids, cholesterol and steroids (6 hours)
Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (4 hours)
Metabolism of amino acids: amino acid degradation and the urea cycle, overview of nitrogen fixation and amino acid biosynthesis (3 hours)
Overview of metabolism of nucleotides (2 hours)
Integration of metabolism and overview of hormonal control of metabolism (2 hours)
Vitamins (1 hour)
Molecular biology: structure and function of nucleic acids, genetic code, DNA replication, transcription and post-transcriptional modifications, protein synthesis and post-translational modifications (8 hours)
Exercitations and seminars (16 h)
Exercizes on topics concerning general chemistry (chemical equilibrium, bioenergetics, dissociation constants, buffers) and basic organic chemistry of biomolecules (6 hours)
Seminars on practical use of enzymes, oxidative stress, recombinant proteins, biochemistry of fermentations, proteomics, basic concepts of analytical methods based on spectrophotometry (10 hours)
Prerequisites for admission
In order to attend the course profitably the student should be endowed with basic knowledge of general, inorganic and organic chemistry. It is highly recommended to follow the course "Chemistry" held in the first semester. Alternatively, students can use any basic level chemistry textbook or on-line material.
Teaching methods
The course consists of theoretical lectures supported by several seminars seminars on main biochemical biochemical tecniques applied in analytical laboratories and specific topics of interest, with the aid of on-line scientific movies in order to describe the complex molecular events leading to nucleic acids and protein synthesis
Teaching Resources
Power Point slides on Ariel web-site (https://anegribbm.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx)
One of the following textbooks:
D.L. Nelson M.M. Cox Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger (Zanichelli)
Campbell Farrell Biochimica (Edises)
One of the following textbooks:
D.L. Nelson M.M. Cox Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger (Zanichelli)
Campbell Farrell Biochimica (Edises)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination takes place in a single written test consisting in 4 open questions, one for each of the following general subject: metabolism and its control, general biochemistry, molecular biology and the structure of a nucleic acid. Information concerning the specific topic comprised in each general subject is clearly indicated to students at the beginning of the course and can be found in the ARIEL site of the teacher (https://anegribbm.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx). Students must complete the test in 2.5 hours. The overall final score of the test, beside correctness, takes into account completeness, clarity, synthesis and use of proper terminology.
Exams are in number of 7 in the Academic year and take place in the months of January, February, April June, July, September and October, with the frequency set by the teaching board.
Exams are in number of 7 in the Academic year and take place in the months of January, February, April June, July, September and October, with the frequency set by the teaching board.
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 8
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Professors:
Maffioli Elisa Margherita, Nonnis Simona
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 12.30-13.30
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Via dell'Università, 6 - 26900 Lodi, Italy