GENERAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY APPLIED TO BIOTECHNOLOGY 3Module BIOCHIMICA GENERALE
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: ANGELA MARIA AMORINIExpected Learning Outcomes
Expected Learning Outcomes
Learning Objectives Based on the Dublin Descriptors
1. Knowledge and Understanding
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- describe the molecular basis of biological systems through the study of the main classes of biomolecules;
- understand the relationship between the chemical structure and biological function of biomolecules;
. Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
The student will be able to:
- apply the principles of biochemistry to interpret biological and molecular phenomena;
3. Making Independent Judgments
The student will be able to:
- critically analyze basic biochemical information and data;
- evaluate the consistency between experimental hypotheses, results obtained, and theoretical models;
4. Communication Skills
The student will be able to:
- express general biochemistry concepts clearly and correctly;
- use appropriate scientific language, both in writing and speaking;
Course Structure
Teaching is delivered through lectures: these mainly involve the frontal presentation of the topics in power point format by the teacher with reference to the texts adopted and recently published scientific works. Intermediate tests could be administered during the course, if requested by students, as a check on the level of study achieved.
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Oral exam on topics developed during the course: the student must demonstrate adequate knowledge and interpretative competence (evaluation criterion: quality of the contents), ability to connect and elaborate contents (evaluation criterion: ability to report examples), as well as expository ability (evaluation criterion: technical language property that must be relevant, clear and correct). For the assessment of learning, the work carried out during the hours of practice / tutoring will also be taken into consideration, i.e. the in-depth seminars, reports, papers and individual research. The evaluation of the test is expressed out of thirty
Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.
Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD: To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the teaching objectives and specifications needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of the Department of Biomedical and Biotechonological Sciences.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Carbohydrates – Structure and function, monosaccharides, disaccharides. Homopolysaccharides and heteropolysaccharides. Glycoconjugates (proteoglycans, glycoproteins, glycolipids). Lipids – Structure and function. Storage lipids. Structural lipids. Sterols. Lipoproteins.
Textbook Information
1. Introduzione alla Biochimica di Lehninger – D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox – ZANICHELLI
2. D. Voet, J.G. Voet, Fondamenti di Biochimica, Ed. Zanichelli
2. Campbell & Farrell, Biochimica, EdiSES
4. Nelson, M.M.Cox, Principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, Ed. Zanichelli
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The structure of amino acids. The peptide bond. Structural organization of proteins: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure. Globular proteins: albumin and chromoproteins. Fibrous proteins: collagen, elastin, and keratin. Immunoglobulins and plasma lipoproteins. Overview of protein purification methods: chromatography, electrophoresis, and Western blotting. | Introduzione alla Biochimica di Lehninger Cap. 3, 4 |
| 2 | Carbohydrates and lipids | |
| 3 | The structure of heme. Oxygen insertion. Myoglobin: structure and function. Similarities and differences with hemoglobin. Hemoglobin: structure and function. The transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The Bohr effect. 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate and its physiological role. The buffering function of hemoglobin. Notes on hemoglobin variants: fetal hemoglobin. Notes on hemoglobinopathies. | |
| 4 | ENZYMES: Introduction to the thermodynamics of reactions in biochemistry. Gibbs free energy. Activation energy and the role of enzymes in lowering its value. The transition state in rations. Saturation curves. Effect of substrate concentration. The Michaelis-Menten curve and equation. Significance of Km and Vmax. Enzyme inhibition. Enzymes in diagnostics. Enzyme regulation. | |
| 5 | CARBOHYDROGEN METABOLISM: glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the Krebs cycle. Fermentations and LDH. The Cori and alanine cycles. The metabolic fate of pyruvate. Glycogen metabolism. | |
| 6 | LIPID METABOLISM. Fatty acid oxidation and regulation. Ketone bodies and their energy utilization. | |
| 7 | METABOLISM OF AROMAS: Transamination, deamination, and decarboxylation reactions (biogenic amines). The main transaminases in liver disease and cardiac ischemia: GOT and GPT. Glutamate dehydrogenase. The urea cycle. | |
| 8 | VITAMINS and their metabolic and pathological implications. | |
| 9 | MITOCHONDRIAL BIOENERGETICS Mitochondrial electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation | |
| 10 | Hormonal regulation of energy metabolism |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Written exam.
The following criteria will be taken into account when assigning the final grade:
Grade 29-30 with honors: The student has a THOROUGH knowledge of the subject matter, excellent communication skills, and mastery of technical and scientific language.
Grade 26-28: The student has a GOOD knowledge of the subject matter and presents the topics clearly using appropriate technical and scientific language;
Grade 22-25: The student has a FAIR knowledge of the subject matter, albeit limited to the main topics, and presents the topics fairly clearly with reasonable command of the language;
Grade 18-21: The student has a MINIMUM knowledge of the subject matter and presents the topics sufficiently clearly, although the command of the language is poorly developed;
Failed: The student DOES NOT HAVE THE MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED of the main content of the course. Their ability to use the specific language is very limited or nonexistent, and they are unable to independently apply the acquired knowledge.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
1. Describe the structure and functions of carbohydrates. What are the main types of carbohydrates and how are they classified?
2. Explain the structure and functions of lipids. What are the main types of lipids and how are they classified?
3. Describe the structure and functions of proteins. What are the different levels of protein structure and how do they influence their function?
4. What are enzymes and how do they catalyze chemical reactions? Explain the mechanism of action of enzymes (e.g., lock-and-key model).
5. Explain the role of the liver in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
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