ID:
501314
Duration (hours):
48
CFU:
6
SSD:
BIOCHIMICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 19/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Aim of the course is to understand how our body can use use carbohydrates, lipids and proteins through the study of the main synthesis and degradation pathways and the biosignaling systems that allow their regulation. At the end of the course the student will be able to connect the different metabolic pathways and understand how some pathological states can influence them. The knowledge and skills acquired during the course will be beneficial to understand the mode of action of drugs.
Course Prerequisites
A previous knowledge of chemistry of sugars, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and amino acids is recommended
Teaching Methods
Face to face lectures (48 hours) are provided with the support of power point slides and video.
PDF of slides and other material presented during the lectures will be uploaded on the KIRO platform.
Teachers are available for further explanations on specific topics upon request.
Further support for students will be provided by tutors whose activity will be adequately advertised on the KIRO platform. For students with specific needs, who cannot attend the teaching activities in person and who have applied for Inclusive Teaching Methods, adequate teaching material will be available to study fruitfully on their own. If required, tutoring or supplementary teaching activities, remote or face to face meetings may be provided to support their self-learning.
PDF of slides and other material presented during the lectures will be uploaded on the KIRO platform.
Teachers are available for further explanations on specific topics upon request.
Further support for students will be provided by tutors whose activity will be adequately advertised on the KIRO platform. For students with specific needs, who cannot attend the teaching activities in person and who have applied for Inclusive Teaching Methods, adequate teaching material will be available to study fruitfully on their own. If required, tutoring or supplementary teaching activities, remote or face to face meetings may be provided to support their self-learning.
Assessment Methods
During assessment students must show that they have learnt and understood the topics of the course, that they have achieved good communication skills with appropriate scientific terminology.
Students can access either to written in itinere tests (for second-year students only) or a combined written/oral examination in any of the established examination dates.
Two itinere written exams will be carried out at midterm and at the end of the course respectively. Both tests include 3-4 open questions regarding a specific part of the programme. Final score is based on the overall evaluation of the two exams carried out during the course. If one out of the two tests were insufficient, students are given the opportunity to take an oral exam on the specific part of the programme related to their failed test. Also, in this case, final score is based on the average of two tests (one written and one oral). Please note that the itinere tests are dedicated exclusively to second-year students.
Alternatively, students can opt for a combined written/oral test during the ordinary assessment sessions. After a positive evaluation (with a score ≥ 18/30) of the written test which includes 3-4 open questions, students will be admitted to the oral exam which will be held on a different date according to a schedule established by the teacher. The oral exam will always start from the correction of the written one and/or further insight into its topics. The oral exam includes also other questions regarding other sections of the programme not already requested in the written test. Final score is based on the overall evaluation of both written and oral exams.
In addition, appropriate examination methods are provided for students who are included into the Specific Learning Disorders (DSA) and Special Educational Needs (BSA) categories.
Students can access either to written in itinere tests (for second-year students only) or a combined written/oral examination in any of the established examination dates.
Two itinere written exams will be carried out at midterm and at the end of the course respectively. Both tests include 3-4 open questions regarding a specific part of the programme. Final score is based on the overall evaluation of the two exams carried out during the course. If one out of the two tests were insufficient, students are given the opportunity to take an oral exam on the specific part of the programme related to their failed test. Also, in this case, final score is based on the average of two tests (one written and one oral). Please note that the itinere tests are dedicated exclusively to second-year students.
Alternatively, students can opt for a combined written/oral test during the ordinary assessment sessions. After a positive evaluation (with a score ≥ 18/30) of the written test which includes 3-4 open questions, students will be admitted to the oral exam which will be held on a different date according to a schedule established by the teacher. The oral exam will always start from the correction of the written one and/or further insight into its topics. The oral exam includes also other questions regarding other sections of the programme not already requested in the written test. Final score is based on the overall evaluation of both written and oral exams.
In addition, appropriate examination methods are provided for students who are included into the Specific Learning Disorders (DSA) and Special Educational Needs (BSA) categories.
Texts
E.E. Abali, S.D. Cline, D.S. Franklin, S.M. Viselli. “Le basi della biochimica” Zanichellli
D. L. Nelson, M.M. Cox. “Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger” Zanichelli
D. L. Nelson, M.M. Cox. “Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger” Zanichelli
Contents
Amino acids. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of proteins. Examples of fibrous proteins: alpha keratin, collagen and collagen diseases. Globular proteins: myoglobin; haemoglobin and haemoglobinopathies. Proteins of the immune system.
Enzymes: nomenclature and properties, mechanisms of action. Enzyme inhibitors. Regulation of enzymatic activity. Water-soluble vitamins and corresponding co-enzymes. Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis pathways.
Structure of biological membranes and role of membrane proteins. Hormones and main processes of signal transduction.
Principles of bioenergetics. Introduction to carbohydrates. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates; glucose transport into cells. Reactions and regulation of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis; metabolic fates of pyruvate. Production of NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate oxidative phase of pentose phosphate pathway, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Structure and function of glycogen: pathways of glycogen synthesis and breakdown. Glycogen storage diseases.
Krebs cycle overview and its regulation.
Structure of fatty acids. Digestion, absorption, secretion and use of lipids. Reactions and regulation of pathways of oxidation and synthesis of fatty acids.
Ketogenesis and ketolysis. Formation of ketone bodies during diabetes. Types of diabetes and metabolic aspects.
Cholesterol: structure, absorption of dietary cholesterol. Transport of exogenous and endogen cholesterol. Structure and function of plasma lipoproteins.
Nitrogen metabolism: digestion of dietary proteins, amino acids absorption. Nitrogen excretion and urea cycle.
Oxidative phosphorylation.
Integration of human metabolism.
Enzymes: nomenclature and properties, mechanisms of action. Enzyme inhibitors. Regulation of enzymatic activity. Water-soluble vitamins and corresponding co-enzymes. Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis pathways.
Structure of biological membranes and role of membrane proteins. Hormones and main processes of signal transduction.
Principles of bioenergetics. Introduction to carbohydrates. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates; glucose transport into cells. Reactions and regulation of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis; metabolic fates of pyruvate. Production of NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate oxidative phase of pentose phosphate pathway, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Structure and function of glycogen: pathways of glycogen synthesis and breakdown. Glycogen storage diseases.
Krebs cycle overview and its regulation.
Structure of fatty acids. Digestion, absorption, secretion and use of lipids. Reactions and regulation of pathways of oxidation and synthesis of fatty acids.
Ketogenesis and ketolysis. Formation of ketone bodies during diabetes. Types of diabetes and metabolic aspects.
Cholesterol: structure, absorption of dietary cholesterol. Transport of exogenous and endogen cholesterol. Structure and function of plasma lipoproteins.
Nitrogen metabolism: digestion of dietary proteins, amino acids absorption. Nitrogen excretion and urea cycle.
Oxidative phosphorylation.
Integration of human metabolism.
Course Language
Italian
Degrees
Degrees
PHARMACY
Single-cycle Master’s Degree
5 years
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People
People
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