ID:
500191
Duration (hours):
45
CFU:
3
SSD:
BIOCHIMICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (01/10/2025 - 30/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of biochemistry required to understand the molecular processes that regulate the functioning of cells and tissues.
Knowledge and understanding.
At the end of the course, students are expected to acquire knowledge of the fundamental principles of biological chemistry, the structure and properties of the main biological macromolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids), and their role in cellular biochemical processes. Students should also understand the organization of complex supramolecular systems, such as the respiratory chain, as well as the basic concepts of enzymatic catalysis and the main metabolic pathways involved in cellular energy production and utilization.
Applying knowledge and understanding.
Students should be able to recognize and interpret basic molecular structures, understand the functional role of major proteins and enzymes in cellular processes, and relate the main metabolic pathways to cellular energy metabolism. They should also be able to apply the acquired biochemical knowledge to the understanding of the molecular basis of physiological and pathological conditions.
Making judgements.
Students should be able to critically interpret basic information related to biochemical processes and relate them to human physiology and pathology.
Communication skills.
Students should be able to use appropriate biochemical terminology to describe molecular structures, enzymatic processes and metabolic pathways.
Learning skills.
Students should acquire the biochemical foundations necessary to approach more advanced biomedical and clinical subjects within the degree programme.
Knowledge and understanding.
At the end of the course, students are expected to acquire knowledge of the fundamental principles of biological chemistry, the structure and properties of the main biological macromolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids), and their role in cellular biochemical processes. Students should also understand the organization of complex supramolecular systems, such as the respiratory chain, as well as the basic concepts of enzymatic catalysis and the main metabolic pathways involved in cellular energy production and utilization.
Applying knowledge and understanding.
Students should be able to recognize and interpret basic molecular structures, understand the functional role of major proteins and enzymes in cellular processes, and relate the main metabolic pathways to cellular energy metabolism. They should also be able to apply the acquired biochemical knowledge to the understanding of the molecular basis of physiological and pathological conditions.
Making judgements.
Students should be able to critically interpret basic information related to biochemical processes and relate them to human physiology and pathology.
Communication skills.
Students should be able to use appropriate biochemical terminology to describe molecular structures, enzymatic processes and metabolic pathways.
Learning skills.
Students should acquire the biochemical foundations necessary to approach more advanced biomedical and clinical subjects within the degree programme.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of biology and chemistry acquired during secondary school education. Fundamental concepts will be briefly reviewed during the course when necessary.
Teaching Methods
The course consists of face-to-face lectures. During the course, lecture slides and additional teaching materials will be made available on the KIRO platform. Upon request, the instructors are available to provide clarification and further explanations on the topics covered during the lectures.
Assessment Methods
Student assessment consists of a written examination including 31 multiple-choice questions, each with five possible answers and only one correct option. Students are given 35 minutes to complete the test. Each correct answer is awarded 1 point, while incorrect or unanswered questions receive 0 points. The examination is considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30.
The exam takes place in a computer room using the KIRO-Testing platform and university-provided computers. Access to the exam requires students to log in using their university credentials.
The exam takes place in a computer room using the KIRO-Testing platform and university-provided computers. Access to the exam requires students to log in using their university credentials.
Texts
Biochimica e biologia per le professioni sanitarie. di Rita Roberti, Giovanni Alunni Bistocchi, CinziaAntognelli, Vincenzo Nicola Talesa. Editore: McGraw-Hill Education
Contents
Chemistry.
Review of the basic concepts of general chemistry required for the understanding of biochemical processes, including atomic structure, chemical bonds and molecules, basic principles of chemical thermodynamics, chemical reactions, pH and buffer solutions. Overview of the main inorganic and organic compounds of biological relevance.
Biochemistry.
Introduction to the fundamental principles of biological chemistry. Structure and properties of amino acids, their classification and physicochemical characteristics. The peptide bond and the different levels of protein structural organization (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure). Fibrous and globular proteins, with particular reference to the structure and function of myoglobin and hemoglobin. Structure and function of carbohydrates, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, storage and structural polysaccharides, and glycosaminoglycans. Structure and properties of lipids, including fatty acids, triacylglycerols, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and cholesterol, as well as the organization of cellular membranes.
Introduction to metabolism and the main cellular metabolic pathways. Enzymatic catalysis, including general properties of enzymes, enzyme classification, activation energy and basic kinetic parameters. Enzyme kinetics and mechanisms of enzyme inhibition. Enzyme cofactors and vitamins, including their general characteristics, functions and biological roles.
Main pathways of energy metabolism, including glucose catabolism with glycolysis and its regulation, lactic and alcoholic fermentation, the citric acid cycle and its regulation. Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, with particular emphasis on the respiratory chain and the structure and function of ATP synthase. Lipid catabolism with fatty acid beta-oxidation and ketone body formation. Overview of amino acid catabolism and the urea cycle. Main anabolic processes including gluconeogenesis and lipid biosynthesis (fatty acids and cholesterol). Overview of nitrogen metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis.
Review of the basic concepts of general chemistry required for the understanding of biochemical processes, including atomic structure, chemical bonds and molecules, basic principles of chemical thermodynamics, chemical reactions, pH and buffer solutions. Overview of the main inorganic and organic compounds of biological relevance.
Biochemistry.
Introduction to the fundamental principles of biological chemistry. Structure and properties of amino acids, their classification and physicochemical characteristics. The peptide bond and the different levels of protein structural organization (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure). Fibrous and globular proteins, with particular reference to the structure and function of myoglobin and hemoglobin. Structure and function of carbohydrates, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, storage and structural polysaccharides, and glycosaminoglycans. Structure and properties of lipids, including fatty acids, triacylglycerols, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and cholesterol, as well as the organization of cellular membranes.
Introduction to metabolism and the main cellular metabolic pathways. Enzymatic catalysis, including general properties of enzymes, enzyme classification, activation energy and basic kinetic parameters. Enzyme kinetics and mechanisms of enzyme inhibition. Enzyme cofactors and vitamins, including their general characteristics, functions and biological roles.
Main pathways of energy metabolism, including glucose catabolism with glycolysis and its regulation, lactic and alcoholic fermentation, the citric acid cycle and its regulation. Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, with particular emphasis on the respiratory chain and the structure and function of ATP synthase. Lipid catabolism with fatty acid beta-oxidation and ketone body formation. Overview of amino acid catabolism and the urea cycle. Main anabolic processes including gluconeogenesis and lipid biosynthesis (fatty acids and cholesterol). Overview of nitrogen metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis.
Course Language
ITALIAN
Degrees
People
People (3)
Teaching staff
Teaching staff
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