General Biochemistry
Bioquímica Geral
Curse code:9554107
Maria Madalena Seabra De Oliveira Salema Cordeiro Oom
Learning outcomes of the curricular unit:
General Biochemistry is a foundation level course of introduction to the chemistry of life, which covers the study of the biomolecules and the main transformations occurring within cells, in a physiological perspective.
Briefly, one intends that the students acquire skills on understanding the central metabolic pathways involving carbohydrates, lipids and aminoacids and the manner by which metabolism is regulated and integrated as the molecular base of human body physiology.
In the end, students should be able to:
- Identify the chemical and three-dimensional structure of biomolecules, the relation structure/function and the interactions with the watery environment of the cell.
- Describe the properties and the role of the enzymes and how they allow the regulation of the metabolism.
- Understand the global strategy of cellular metabolism and the major pathways involved: obtaining and storing energy from nutrients, formation and use of reserves and the blood glucose maintenance.
- Discuss the regulation of pathways related to the coordinated metabolic function of the human body.
Syllabus:
Lectures:
- Chemical and Biological foundations (molecules of life).
- Enzymes and control of metabolic reactions.
- Metabolism.
Lab practical classes:
Assessment of saliva buffer capacity.
Amino acids and physiological buffers problems set.
Introduction to spectroscopy.
Techniques for separation and purification of proteins.
Oral digestion of carbohydrates.
Gastric and pancreatic digestion of proteins and lipids.
Enzyme problems set.
Study of the kinetic of acid phosphatase.
Construction of a metabolic map.
Metabolism problems set.
Integration of metabolic pathways-seminars.
Suggested Bibliography:
- Nelson DL & Cox MM (2012) Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry, 6th ed., Worth Publishers. ISBN-13: 978-1429234146
- Lieberman M & Peet A (2014) Marks' Essentials of Medical Biochemistry: A Clinical Approach, 2nd ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. ISBN-13: 978-1451190069
- Murray RK, Rodwell VW, Kennelly PJ, Botham KM, Weil PA & Bender D (2015) Harper´s Illustrated Biochemistry, 31st ed., McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBN-13: 978-0071825344