ID:
500191
Duration (hours):
16
CFU:
2
SSD:
Biochimica
Year:
2026
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (01/03/2027 - 11/06/2027)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course aims to provide students with the fundamental principles of biochemistry, with particular emphasis on the structure and function of the major biological macromolecules and the mechanisms underlying cellular metabolism. By the end of the course, students will have acquired the theoretical knowledge necessary to understand the biochemical processes that regulate cell and organism function.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- identify and describe the major classes of biological macromolecules;
- describe the structure and functions of proteins in relation to their role in cellular metabolism;
- describe the major metabolic pathways involved in energy production and explain the mechanisms regulating their activity in the fed and fasting states.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- identify and describe the major classes of biological macromolecules;
- describe the structure and functions of proteins in relation to their role in cellular metabolism;
- describe the major metabolic pathways involved in energy production and explain the mechanisms regulating their activity in the fed and fasting states.
Course Prerequisites
A sound understanding of the topics covered in the Biochemistry module requires prior knowledge of the fundamental concepts of General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, acquired within the same Integrated Course.
Teaching Methods
The course is delivered through face-to-face lectures. Upon request, the instructor is available to provide clarification and further explanation of the topics covered during the course. Lecture slides and additional learning materials are made available through the Moodle KIRO platform.
Assessment Methods
earning assessment consists of a written multiple-choice examination comprising 31 questions, each with four answer options, of which only one is correct. The examination lasts 60 minutes.
The examination is passed with a minimum grade of 18/30.
During the course, students are provided with numerous sample questions similar to those included in the examination to familiarize them with the assessment format.
Appropriate examination arrangements are available for students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and other recognized Special Educational Needs (SEN), in accordance with the University's regulations and applicable legislation.
The examination is passed with a minimum grade of 18/30.
During the course, students are provided with numerous sample questions similar to those included in the examination to familiarize them with the assessment format.
Appropriate examination arrangements are available for students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and other recognized Special Educational Needs (SEN), in accordance with the University's regulations and applicable legislation.
Texts
Course materials provided by the instructor include the PowerPoint presentations used during lectures, together with any additional learning resources made available through the KIRO platform.
Contents
Lipids: structure and function of lipids and fatty acids; cholesterol.
Carbohydrates: monosaccharides; the glycosidic bond; disaccharides; storage polysaccharides (starch and glycogen) and structural polysaccharides (cellulose).
Proteins: chemical and physicochemical properties of amino acids; buffering capacity; classification of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids according to the polarity of their side chains; essential amino acids; the peptide bond; fibrous and globular proteins; levels of protein structural organization (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure); protein denaturation.
Enzymes: general characteristics; the active site; enzyme kinetics; factors affecting the rate of enzyme-catalyzed reactions; the Michaelis–Menten equation and Michaelis constant; enzyme inhibition; regulation of enzyme activity through allosteric mechanisms and covalent modification.
Vitamins and coenzymes: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins; the role of water-soluble vitamins as coenzyme precursors; structure and function of pyridine and flavin coenzymes.
Oxygen-binding proteins: myoglobin and hemoglobin.
Biological membranes: structure, properties and membrane transport mechanisms.
Energy metabolism: general principles of metabolism and the biological role of ATP; digestion and metabolism of carbohydrates (glycolysis and its regulation, overview of gluconeogenesis and glycogen metabolism); the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle); digestion and metabolism of lipids, plasma lipoproteins, fatty acid β-oxidation and ketone bodies; overview of amino acid metabolism; the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
Carbohydrates: monosaccharides; the glycosidic bond; disaccharides; storage polysaccharides (starch and glycogen) and structural polysaccharides (cellulose).
Proteins: chemical and physicochemical properties of amino acids; buffering capacity; classification of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids according to the polarity of their side chains; essential amino acids; the peptide bond; fibrous and globular proteins; levels of protein structural organization (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure); protein denaturation.
Enzymes: general characteristics; the active site; enzyme kinetics; factors affecting the rate of enzyme-catalyzed reactions; the Michaelis–Menten equation and Michaelis constant; enzyme inhibition; regulation of enzyme activity through allosteric mechanisms and covalent modification.
Vitamins and coenzymes: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins; the role of water-soluble vitamins as coenzyme precursors; structure and function of pyridine and flavin coenzymes.
Oxygen-binding proteins: myoglobin and hemoglobin.
Biological membranes: structure, properties and membrane transport mechanisms.
Energy metabolism: general principles of metabolism and the biological role of ATP; digestion and metabolism of carbohydrates (glycolysis and its regulation, overview of gluconeogenesis and glycogen metabolism); the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle); digestion and metabolism of lipids, plasma lipoproteins, fatty acid β-oxidation and ketone bodies; overview of amino acid metabolism; the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
Course Language
Italian
Degrees
Degrees
ENVIRONMENT AND WORKPLACE PREVENTION TECHNIQUES
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
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People
People
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