Biological Chemistry

Biochemistry is a necessary base teaching for the comprehension of Nutritional Sciences because it explains the mechanisms underlining food assumption and its metabolism. The detailed knowledge of these mechanisms is the requirement for understanding other subjects as physiology and pathology. The course of studies is aimed at the acquisition of the main principles of the biological, structural and functional role of proteins, sugars and lipids, as well as of the rules governing their biochemical transformation aimed at maintaining the body homeostasis, and of their digestion and adsorption, hence their metabolism.

At the end of this course of studies, the students will know the fundamental principles of the biological life of human body; they will be able to link the type of nutrients to human metabolism; they will know the structure and function of the main classes of biological molecules; they will know the bio-energetic principles regulating human body nutrition; they will be able to explain the metabolic relationships among tissues and organs, specifically in fasting and feeding conditions. The students will be able to evaluate the metabolic healthy conditions according to the diet. The students will autonomously evaluate the information sources concerning the subject of the course. They will be able to present their knowledge by extensive and detailed oral exposure and by personal ability in linking different topics in a coherent form.