The course is focused on acquiring the fundamental concepts of structural and metabolic biochemistry. In particular, the molecular bases of biological systems and biochemical mechanisms controlling the cellular metabolic activities also in relation to the presence of extracellular signals and in fisiopathological conditions will be analyzed. 

Introduction to Biochemistry

Nucleotides: structure and function.

Desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): structure, function and replication. Nucleosome, chromatin and chromosomes. Control of gene expression.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA): chemical composition and structure. Transcription, RNA maturation. From RNA to proteins: genetic code and translation. 

Composition, structure and functions of proteins

Hemoglobin and myoglobin

Enzymes

Classification.

Structure.

Mechanisms of action.

Kinetic and regulation.

Catalytic mechanisms and inhibition.

Chemistry of carbohydrates

Chemistry of lipids

Signal transduction

cAMP and calcium as second messengers.

Basic notions on the metabolism

Carbohydrate metabolism

Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis.

Hexose monophosphate shunt.

Other sugars of metabolic interest.

Glycogen metabolism.

Lipid metabolism

Beta oxidation.

Fatty acids synthesis.

Cholesterol metabolism.

Nitrogen metabolism

Amino acids metabolism.

Urea cycle.

Amino acids biosynthesis.

Krebs cycle

Functions, energy balance and regulation.

Oxidative phosphorylation

The electron transport chain.

The proton motive force.

Regulation of metabolism

Bridging courses are not required.

Knowledge and ability of comprehension: the student must demonstrate to have acquired relevant knowledge of basic aspects of biochemistry such as structure and function of biological molecules and main metabolic pathways, their modulation and hormonal control. 

Ability to apply knowledge and comprehension: the student must demonstrate to be able to establish correlation between biological structure and biological function and to link the different studied topics.  

Autonomy of judgement: the student must demonstrate to be able to critically evaluate the information received to elaborate personal ideas and solve problems.

Communication skills: the student must demonstrate to be able to communicate the acquired skills by adequate scientific language.

Learning skill: the student must demonstrate to be able to build his own learning path, using the materials provided by the teacher or autonomously acquired to increase the knowledge of new aspects regarding biochemistry that can be useful to study other subjects of the degree course.

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

No supporting activities

Teaching

Frontal lessons.

Attendance

Attendance of frontal lessons is strongly reccomended.

Course books

- NELSON, COX "I PRINCIPI DI BIOCHIMICA DI LEHININGER" (VIII ED) ZANICHELLI 2022 or

- NELSON, COX "FONDAMENTI DI BIOCHIMICA DI LEHININGER" (I ED) ZANICHELLI 2021 or

- BERG, TYMOCZKO, STRYER. BIOCHIMICA (VII ED) ZANICHELLI or

- TYMOCZKO, BERG, STRYER "PRINCIPI DI BIOCHIMICA" ZANICHELLI 

- VOET & VOET "FONDAMENTI DI BIOCHIMICA" ZANICHELLI (this book can be consulted)

- DEVLIN "BIOCHIMICA" con aspetti clinico-farmaceutici EdiSES (this book can be consulted)

Assessment

Two types of examinations will be possible:

Exam without partial test

Oral exam to verify the points present in the section "Dublin Descriptors". The exam will include 3 questions, one will be on the part of biomolecules and molecular biology; the second one will be on plasma membrane and organelles; the third will be on cell cycle, cytoskeleton and signal transduction. The exam will last 15-30 minutes. 

Exam with partial test

The partial written test will include 60-80 questions regarding the first part of the program of the course excluding "Basic notions on the metabolism". It will be in the period ranging from December 15-23. The available time will be 2 hours. If the test will be sufficient, with a mark of at least 18/30, the student can give a second written test regarding the second parte of the program (Basic notions on the metabolism) during the official dates of the exams.

The final outcome will be the mean of the two marks achieved in each tests, only if both ≥ 18/30. Those who do not achieve enough in a partial test must take the full examination. 

The second written test consists of 60-80 questions, both multiple choice questions (the only correct answer must be indicated between those proposed) and open questions. The time available will be 2 hours.

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

The teaching material and the specific communication of the lecturer are available inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it.

Attendance

There are no particular requirements.

Course books

- NELSON, COX "I PRINCIPI DI BIOCHIMICA DI LEHININGER" (VIII ED) ZANICHELLI 2022 or

- NELSON, COX "FONDAMENTI DI BIOCHIMICA DI LEHININGER" (I ED) ZANICHELLI 2021 or

- BERG, TYMOCZKO, STRYER. BIOCHIMICA (VII ED) ZANICHELLI or

- TYMOCZKO, BERG, STRYER "PRINCIPI DI BIOCHIMICA" ZANICHELLI

- VOET & VOET "FONDAMENTI DI BIOCHIMICA" ZANICHELLI (this book can be consulted)

- DEVLIN "BIOCHIMICA" con aspetti clinico-farmaceutici EdiSES (this book can be consulted)

Assessment

Written exam to verify the points present in the section "Dublin Descriptors". The exam will include 60-80 questions, including both multiple choice questions (the only correct answer must be indicated between those proposed) and open questions, regarding the entire program of the course. The final vote will be in thirtieths and the available time will be 2 hours.

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.