ID:
500191
Duration (hours):
16
CFU:
2
SSD:
BIOCHIMICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The main objective of the course is to provide a basic knowledge of biological chemistry. The students will acquire a set of theoretical skills related to cellular metabolism and the molecules involved in it.
Upon completion of the course, the student will be expected to be able to:
- recognize the main classes of biological macromolecules;
- describe the functions of proteins in relation to their involvement in cellular metabolism;
- describe the main cellular metabolic pathways and their regulation during feeding and/or fasting.
Upon completion of the course, the student will be expected to be able to:
- recognize the main classes of biological macromolecules;
- describe the functions of proteins in relation to their involvement in cellular metabolism;
- describe the main cellular metabolic pathways and their regulation during feeding and/or fasting.
Course Prerequisites
The understanding of the topics covered in the Biochemistry module requires the student to be in command of the knowledge learned during General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry modules.
Teaching Methods
Frontal lectures.
Upon request, the lecturer is available for clarification of the topics covered in the lectures.
Lecture slides and further information are available on the KIRO platform.
Upon request, the lecturer is available for clarification of the topics covered in the lectures.
Lecture slides and further information are available on the KIRO platform.
Assessment Methods
Multiple-choice test consisting of 31 questions each with four answers of which only one is the correct one. The exam lasts 1 hour.
The test is considered passed with a score of no less than 18/30. Several examples of exam questions are shown during the lectures.
Appropriate examination formats are provided for students who fall into the categories provided for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and Special Educational Needs (SED).
The test is considered passed with a score of no less than 18/30. Several examples of exam questions are shown during the lectures.
Appropriate examination formats are provided for students who fall into the categories provided for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and Special Educational Needs (SED).
Texts
Educational supplies provided by the lecturer, including lectures' slides shared on the KIRO platform.
Contents
Review of the major organic chemistry topics of biological interest.
Lipids and fatty acids: structure and function. Cholesterol.
Monosaccharides. The glycosidic bond. Disaccharides. The reserve polysaccharides: starch and glycogen. The structural polysaccharides: cellulose.
Amino acids: main chemical and physical characteristics. Buffering power. The 20 amino acids of proteins: classification according to side chain polarity. The essential amino acids. Peptide bond properties. Fibrous and globular proteins. The primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Denaturation of proteins.
Enzymes: main characteristics. The active site. Kinetics of enzyme reactions. Factors regulating the rate of enzymatic reactions. Michaelis and Menten's constant. Enzyme inhibition. Regulatory enzymes: allosteric and covalently regulated enzymes.
Vitamins: classifications into water- and fat-soluble. Role of water-soluble vitamins as precursors to coenzymes. Pyridine and flavin coenzymes: structure and function.
Myoglobin and hemoglobin.
Biological membranes: structure and properties. Transport across the membrane.
Introduction to metabolism and biological role of ATP. Digestion of disaccharides and polysaccharides. Glycolysis and its regulation. Hints at gluconeogenesis and glycogen metabolism. Krebs cycle. Lipid digestion and plasma lipoproteins. Beta oxidation of fatty acids. Ketone bodies.
Notes on amino acid metabolism. The respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
Lipids and fatty acids: structure and function. Cholesterol.
Monosaccharides. The glycosidic bond. Disaccharides. The reserve polysaccharides: starch and glycogen. The structural polysaccharides: cellulose.
Amino acids: main chemical and physical characteristics. Buffering power. The 20 amino acids of proteins: classification according to side chain polarity. The essential amino acids. Peptide bond properties. Fibrous and globular proteins. The primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Denaturation of proteins.
Enzymes: main characteristics. The active site. Kinetics of enzyme reactions. Factors regulating the rate of enzymatic reactions. Michaelis and Menten's constant. Enzyme inhibition. Regulatory enzymes: allosteric and covalently regulated enzymes.
Vitamins: classifications into water- and fat-soluble. Role of water-soluble vitamins as precursors to coenzymes. Pyridine and flavin coenzymes: structure and function.
Myoglobin and hemoglobin.
Biological membranes: structure and properties. Transport across the membrane.
Introduction to metabolism and biological role of ATP. Digestion of disaccharides and polysaccharides. Glycolysis and its regulation. Hints at gluconeogenesis and glycogen metabolism. Krebs cycle. Lipid digestion and plasma lipoproteins. Beta oxidation of fatty acids. Ketone bodies.
Notes on amino acid metabolism. The respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
Course Language
Italian
Degrees
Degrees
ENVIRONMENT AND WORKPLACE PREVENTION TECHNIQUES
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
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