Unit GENERAL AND MOLECULAR BIOCHEMISTRY

Course
Pharmacy
Study-unit Code
65002012
Location
PERUGIA
Curriculum
In all curricula
Teacher
Elisabetta Albi
Teachers
  • Elisabetta Albi
  • Carmela Conte
Hours
  • 84 ore - Elisabetta Albi
  • 6 ore - Carmela Conte
CFU
12
Course Regulation
Coorte 2019
Offered
2020/21
Learning activities
Caratterizzante
Area
Discipline biologiche e farmacologiche
Academic discipline
BIO/10
Type of study-unit
Obbligatorio (Required)
Type of learning activities
Attività formativa monodisciplinare
Language of instruction
Italian
Contents
The General and Molecular Biochemistry course introduces the student to the structure and functions of molecules of biological interest, their metabolism and their metabolic interactions and their role in various organs and tissues.
Reference texts
I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger – David L et al., Zanichelli
Educational objectives
The main objective of the teaching is to provide students with the basics for achieving a good level of knowledge of the structure and metabolism of biological molecules.
The main knowledge acquired will be:
- structure of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids;
- structure, function and mechanisms of regulation of enzymes;
- identification of the role of vitamins and minerals in metabolic processes; - catabolic and anabolic pathways of the different macromolecules;
- role of hormones in different metabolisms;
- metabolic interactions between different organs and tissues
Prerequisites
In order to understand and know how to apply the topics covered in the course it is indispensable to have passed the exam of biology and organic chemistry
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures with projection of images and video
Other information
Frequency is recommended. he teaching material presented in class will be included on the UNISTUDIUM platform so that working students can also view it and use it for study.
Learning verification modality
A final oral test will be carried out which will evaluate the knowledge acquired and the ability to connect between the different topics
Extended program
References from Chemistry and physics preparatory to biochemistry.
References from macroscopic and microscopic Anatomy: gastrointestinal cardio-circulatory, respiratory and gastro-intestinal tract; tissues (epithelial, muscular, nervous and different types of connective tissue).
References from Biology: macromolecules and cells.
The water and the pH of the body fluids: water chemistry and the state changes; the water biochemistry in the blood, cells and interstitial tissues; weak acids and bases, pH, buffer systems.
Amino acids, peptides and proteins: protein structure and protein denaturation, functions of different proteins. Biological properties of amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine, methionine, threonine, lysine, arginine, histidine, phenylalanine). The neurotransmitters. Structure/function relations of specific proteins (myoglobin, hemoglobin, immunoglobulin, muscle proteins).
Enzymes: physico-chemical characteristics, enzyme kinetic, classification of enzymes, examples of enzymes, regulatory enzymes, enzyme action mode
Vitamins fat soluble and water soluble: vitamins A, D, E, K, vitamin group B, vitamin C and H.
Minerals: role of minerals in biochemical processes, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, manganese, sulfur, iron, zinc, iodine, copper, selenium, fluoride, chromium, nickel, silicon, molybdenum.
The bioenergetics: chemical equations, transfer phosphate groups, ATP, oxide reductions, family of P450 and nitric oxide synthase.
Carbohydrates: structure and function of monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, proteoglycans, glycoproteins, glycosphingolipids, saccharide code. Glycolysis, interaction of the different monosaccharides with the glycolytic pathway, pentose phosphate pathway, glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, regulation of metabolism glucose homeostasis.
Lipids: structure and function of fatty acids and triglycerides. Absorption of lipids, lipoproteins. Fatty acid synthesis and catabolism, catabolism and synthesis of triglycerides. Structure, functions, synthesis and esterification of cholesterol. Synthesis and role of ketone bodies. Structure, roles and metabolism of glycerophospholipid and sphingolipids.
Ethanol: ethanol metabolism and its effect.
Pyruvic acid: oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvic acid: enzymes, coenzymes, reactions and role.
Krebs cycle: reactions, importance of producing reduced coenzymes, of carbon dioxide and water, of GTP/ATP synthesis at the level of the substrate. Role of cycle intermediate molecules.
Oxidative phosphorylation: structure and role of multi-enzimatic complexes I-IV. The transfer of hydrogen ions and the electrochemical gradient. The synthesis of metabolic water. Structure and function of ATP synthase.
Metabolism of aminoacids: the urea cycle, the shunt argininsuccinate. Glutamate synthesis and degradation: biological roles. The transamination. The amino acids for the synthesis of glucose, lipids, and ketones. Methionine metabolism: role of vitamins B9 and B12. Metabolisms of histidine, threonine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, asparagine, arginine and nitric oxide production, glycine, cysteine. Summary of carnosine, glutathione, taurine, creatine.
DNA and cellular life: role of nucleic acids in proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.
Metabolism of nucleic acids: synthesis and degradation of purines and pyrimidines.
Principles of metabolic control: role of peptide hormones and steroid. Effects of gonad hormones on metabolism: premenstrual phase, menopause, andropause.
Signal transduction: hormone-receptor interaction, molecules involved in cell signaling.
Organs and tissues: metabolic mechanisms in liver, muscle, adipose and nerve tissue.
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