The course aims to provide students with basic knowledge on fundamental processes of the biochemical mechanisms that regulate cellular metabolic activities with particular attention to energy metabolism and to the molecular basis of adaptation to physical exercise.

The course will address the following topics in the order below:

First part

Principles of bioenergetics and thermodynamics. Cells and sources of free energy.

Paired reactions and free energy variations The transfer of phosphoric groups and ATP.

Free energy standard of phosphorylated compounds (Fosfoenolpyruvate, 1,3 diphosphoglycerate, Phosphocreatine) and thioesters (Acetyl Coenzyme A)

ATP provides energy by group transfer, not by simple hydrolysis

Enzymes

Classification of enzymes. How enzymes work: enzymatic kinetics

Michaelis's equation - Menten Vmax, Km, Kcat

Competitive Inhibition and non-competitive Inhibition

Glycolysis and the catabolism of hexoses. Regulation of Glycolysis

Fate of pyruvate in aerobic and anaerobic conditions

Alcoholic fermentation

Regulation of carbohydrate catabolism. Secondary pathways of glucose oxidation

Use of disaccharides, galactose, fructose glycogenosynthesis

Regulation of glycogenosynthesis (in muscle and liver). Glycogenolysis.

Regulation of Glycogenolysis and Gluconeogenesis

Pyruvate carboxylase: mechanism of action. Complex of Pyruvate dehydrogenase

The Krebs cycle

The flow of mitochondrial electrons;

The electron transport chain;

The synthesis of ATP is coupled to the flow of electrons in the respiratory chain;

Second part

Structure and physiological role of fatty acids;

Structure, digestion and absorption of triglycerides;

Classification and structure of lipoproteins;

Mobilization and transport of fatty acids;

Regulation of lipid metabolism

Oxidation of saturated, unsaturated and chain fatty acids with odd number of carbon atoms;

B12 Coenzyme;

Ketone bodies;

Cholesterol, notes on synthesis and regulatory mechanisms;

Protein turnover and amino acid catabolism;

Proteins are degraded to amino acids;

Regulation of protein turnover: ubiquitination, proteasomes and lysosomes;

Deamination of amino acids;

Nitrogen excretion and urea cycle;

Notes on the regulation of nitrogen metabolism;

Pathways of degradation of amino acids;

Muscle contraction biochemistry;

Biochemical and metabolic differences between the types of fibers;

Muscle adaptations to exercise

Physics / Chemistry and propaedeutics of biochemistry

In agreement with the Dublin Descriptors, the student must demonstrate:

- To have achieved a knowledge and understanding of biochemistry that allows him to set up the discussion in a coherent and logical way, and to be able to make connections between the different topics;

-  To show the ability to use knowledge and concepts to solve problems related to the biochemistry of exercise;

-  To expose one's own knowledge with specific language and scientific vocabulary;

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

There are no supporting activities to teaching

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Attendance

There is no compulsory attendance

Course books

D.L.  Nelson, M.M. Cox. Fondamenti di biochimica di Lehninger. Zanichelli

Dean R Appling, Spencer J Anthony-Cahill, Christopher K Mathews.  BIOCHIMICA, molecole e metabolismo. Pearson

J. M. Berg  Biochimica. Zanichelli

D. Voet, J.G. Voet, C.W. Pratt – Fondamenti di biochimica. Zanichelli

Assessment

Expected learning outcomes will be evaluated through an oral interview that will take into account the knowledge and deepening of the topics of the program, the ability to link the different aspects of the metabolism in conditions of rest and in response to physical exercise. In more ditails, the oral interview will take into account: knowledge and understanding skills (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); Consciousness and understanding ability applied (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); judgment autonomy (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); communicative abilities (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); ability to learn (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient).

The oral test is expressed in thirty.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students are invited to consult the educational material uploaded on Moodle (slides discussed in class, examples of educational research, types of detection tools, etc.) through which it will be possible to study the books indicated in the section "program information".

Attendance

There is no compulsory attendance

Course books

D.L.  Nelson, M.M. Cox. I principi di biochimica di Lehninger. Zanichelli

L. Strayer. Biochimica. Zanichelli

A.L. Lehninger. Biochimica. Zanichelli

D. Voet, J.G. Voet, C.W. Pratt – Fondamenti di biochimica. Zanichelli

Assessment

Expected learning outcomes will be evaluated through an oral interview that will take into account the knowledge and deepening of the topics of the program, the ability to link the different aspects of the metabolism in conditions of rest and in response to physical exercise. In more ditails, the oral interview will take into account: knowledge and understanding skills (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); Consciousness and understanding ability applied (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); judgment autonomy (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); communicative abilities (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient); ability to learn (6, excellent, 5, good, 4 sufficient, 3 insufficient).

The oral test is expressed in thirty.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.