Biochemistry

A.Y. 2024/2025
8
Max ECTS
64
Overall hours
SSD
BIO/10
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with the scientific knowledge that will contribute to the formation of a basic biochemical culture and to the learning of biochemical language.
The aim of the course is to enable students to understand the fundamental logic of biochemistry, to know the molecular bases of the main biological functions, the main metabolic processes and their control, also highlighting the connections between the various processes.
The training objective of the course is to develop biochemical knowledge related to the functions of the key tissues in relation to the most common diseases.
Expected learning outcomes
The students' learning outcomes are evaluated by the teacher through an oral examination of biochemistry learning on the basis of the programme carried out during the course.
The teacher's examination of the students will be mainly aimed at assessing the knowledge and understanding of basic biochemistry and assessing the skills acquired by the student at the completion of the course itself. In particular, the student's language properties will be evaluated, as well as the skills acquired to discriminate the different metabolic processes presented during the course.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Linea AK

Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
-Peptides and proteins. Peptide bond. Properties and structural organization of proteins. Protein functions: fibrous proteins (collagen, keratin, elastin), globular proteins (myoglobin and hemoglobin) and conjugated proteins.
- Enzymes. Nomenclature and classification. Co-factors and coenzymes. Enzymatic kinetics. Inhibition and regulation of enzyme activity.
-Respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
- Glucides. Mono-, di- and polysaccharides: structure, chemical-physical properties and functions. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Metabolism of carbohydrates: glycolysis and aerobic metabolism of glucose; Krebs cycle; gluconeogenesis; pentose phosphate cycle; glycogen metabolism.
- Lipids. Fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, glycolipids, terpenes and sterols: structure, physico-chemical properties and functions. Digestion and absorption of lipids. Transport of lipids in the blood: plasma lipoproteins. Lipid metabolism: activation and transport of fatty acids; α-, β- and ω-oxidation of fatty acids; metabolism of ketone bodies; biosynthesis of fatty acids; metabolism of triglycerides; metabolism of phospholipids; metabolism of cholesterol.
- Proteins and amino acids. Protein digestion and amino acid absorption. Synthesis and catabolism of amino acids. Urea cycle.
- Biochemistry of informational biomolecules. RNA metabolism: DNA transcription; pre-RNA maturation. Regulation of gene expression.
- Biochemistry of hormones. Metabolism, mechanisms of action and regulation of polypeptide hormones, pancreas (insulin, glucagon) and gastro-intestinal tract.
Liver: metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids;
Muscle tissue: energy metabolism; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids (Ala cycle and Chorus cycle);
Adipose tissue: characteristics of white and brown adipose tissue; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids; thermogenesis; secretory function of adipose tissue.
- Metabolic interrelationships and coordinated regulatory mechanisms in physiological and pathological conditions.
Prerequisites for admission
To be eligible for the exam, students must have passed the Human Anatomy and Physiology exam. It is recommended to pass the Organic Chemistry I exam.
The exam consists of an oral examination based on the program covered in the course.
Teaching methods
The course only includes 64 hours of frontal lessons
Teaching Resources
Recommended texts
The latest editions of:
- D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox, Lehninger's Principles of Biochemistry, Zanichelli.
- D. Voet, J.G. Voet, C.W. Pratt, Basics of Biochemistry, Zanichelli.
- G. Berg, J.L. Tymoczko, L. Stryer, Biochemistry, Zanichelli.

The iconographic material shown during the lessons can be downloaded from the Ariel portal.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The students' learning outcomes are evaluated by the teacher through an oral examination of biochemistry learning on the basis of the program carried out during the course.
The teacher's examination of the students will be mainly aimed at assessing the knowledge and understanding of basic and metabolic biochemistry and assessing the skills acquired by the student at the completion of the course itself. In particular, the student's language properties will be evaluated, as well as the skills acquired to discriminate the different metabolic processes presented during the course.
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 8
Lessons: 64 hours

Linea LZ

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
- Peptides and proteins. Peptide bond. Properties and structural organization of proteins. Protein functions: fibrous proteins (collagen, keratin, elastin), globular proteins (myoglobin and hemoglobin) and conjugated proteins.
- Enzymes. Nomenclature and classification. Co-factors and coenzymes. Enzymatic kinetics. Inhibition and regulation of enzyme activity.
-Respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
- Glucides. Mono-, di- and polysaccharides: structure, chemical-physical properties and functions. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Metabolism of carbohydrates: glycolysis and aerobic metabolism of glucose; Krebs cycle; gluconeogenesis; pentose phosphate cycle; glycogen metabolism.
- Lipids. Fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, glycolipids, terpenes and sterols: structure, physico-chemical properties and functions. Digestion and absorption of lipids. Transport of lipids in the blood: plasma lipoproteins. Lipid metabolism: activation and transport of fatty acids; α-, β- and ω-oxidation of fatty acids; metabolism of ketone bodies; biosynthesis of fatty acids; metabolism of triglycerides; metabolism of phospholipids; metabolism of cholesterol.
- Proteins and amino acids. Protein digestion and amino acid absorption. Synthesis and catabolism of amino acids. Urea cycle.
- Biochemistry of informational biomolecules. RNA metabolism: DNA transcription; pre-RNA maturation. Regulation of gene expression.
- Biochemistry of hormones. Metabolism, mechanisms of action and regulation of polypeptide hormones, pancreas (insulin, glucagon) and gastro-intestinal tract.
- Organ biochemistry. Liver: metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids;
Muscle tissue: energy metabolism; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids (Ala cycle and Chorus cycle);
Adipose tissue: characteristics of white and brown adipose tissue; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids; thermogenesis; secretory function of adipose tissue.
- Metabolic interrelationships and coordinated regulatory mechanisms in physiological and pathological conditions.
Prerequisites for admission
To be eligible for the exam, students must have passed the Human Anatomy and Physiology exam and Organic Chemistry I exam.
Teaching methods
The course only includes 64 hours of frontal lessons.
Teaching Resources
Recommended texts
The latest editions of:
- D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox, Lehninger's Principles of Biochemistry, Zanichelli.
- D. Voet, J.G. Voet, C.W. Pratt, Basics of Biochemistry, Zanichelli.
- G. Berg, J.L. Tymoczko, L. Stryer, Biochemistry, Zanichelli.

The iconographic material shown during the lessons can be downloaded from the Ariel portal.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The students' learning outcomes are evaluated by the teacher through an oral examination of biochemistry learning on the basis of the program carried out during the course.
The teacher's examination of the students will be mainly aimed at assessing the knowledge and understanding of basic and metabolic biochemistry and assessing the skills acquired by the student at the completion of the course itself. In particular, the student's language properties will be evaluated, as well as the skills acquired to discriminate the different metabolic processes presented during the course.
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 8
Lessons: 64 hours
Professor: Mitro Nico
Shifts:
Turno
Professor: Mitro Nico