GENERAL BIOCHEMISTRY

• Knowledge of the structure, function and regulation of biological macromolecules.
• Knowledge of the general mechanisms of metabolism regulation.
• Knowledge of the main metabolic pathways and cycles with particular attention to carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism.

Frontal lessons with exercises.

If the teaching is taught in a mixed or distance mode, the necessary changes may be introduced with respect to what was previously declared, in order to respect the planned program and reported in the syllabus.

The learning assessment may also be carried out electronically, if the conditions require it.

Information for students with disabilities and/or DSA

To take the exam, it is mandatory to have passed the Organic Chemistry exam

The following knowledge is also required:

General Chemistry - Chemical bonds. Thermodynamics. Acids and bases. Properties of solutions: pH, pK, buffers, osmotic pressure. Oxidation-reductions.

Main topics of organic chemistry - Hybridization of carbon. Saturated, unsaturated, cyclic hydrocarbons. Heterocyclic and aromatic compounds Electronic delocalization and resonance. Functional groups of greatest biochemical interest. Acidity and basicity of organic compounds. Isomerism.

Attendance is strongly recommended, especially for students who intend to take the midterm and final tests scheduled during the course. Attendance significantly increases the chances of passing both the midterm and final tests, as well as the single exam

The cell and its main components.

Main biomolecules. Classification, structure, and function.

• Amino acids
• Proteins (with particular attention to transporters and enzymes)
• Carbohydrates
• Nucleotides and nucleic acids
• Lipids

Metabolism. General considerations and characteristics of the main catabolic and anabolic pathways

• Glycolysis
• Krebs cycle
• Fatty acid catabolism.
• Oxidative transamination and the urea cycle
• Oxidative phosphorylation
• Main biosynthetic pathways
• Photosynthesis and carbohydrate synthesis in plants

Teaching contributes to the following goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:

• Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
• Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

1. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, Nelson and Cox et al., Zanichelli ed.;
2. Fundamentals of Biochemistry, Voet and Voet, Zanichelli ed.;
3. Biochemistry, Garrett, Zanichelli ed.;
4. Biochemistry, Stryer, Zanichelli ed.;
5. Principles of Biochemistry, Garrett and Grisham, Piccin ed.
6. Fundamentals of Biochemistry, L.Pollegioni, EdiSES ed
7. Biochemistry, Matthews, Van Holde et al., Piccin ed.

The learning assessment includes two ongoing tests and a finishing one. In each of them, 31 multiple choice questions will be proposed regarding different parts of the course program. Each question has only one correct answer that is evaluated +1, while incorrect or unanswered questions are evaluated 0 (zero). The test is passed with a minimum grade of 18, while if the grade is between 15 and 17, the test is considered "conditional passed ". The final grade is the result of a weighted average of all the tests, in which the grade of the ongoing tests contributes 30% to the final grade, while the finishing one contributes 40%. The exam is considered passed with a minimum grade of 18.

Students who do not pass one of the ongoing tests or do not achieve the minimum final grade (18) can still take a single exam. The latter includes 62 multiple choice questions on the entire course program. Each question has only one correct answer (scored +0.5), while incorrect or unanswered questions are scored 0 (zero).

• The main classes of biological macromolecules and their importance for cellular metabolism
• The structure and function of proteins and their role in organisms.
• The main proteins involved in oxygen transport
• The role of enzymes in regulating metabolic pathways and description of the main factors that influence their activity.
• The role of ATP in metabolism and how it is produced in different cellular compartments
• The main steps of glycolysis and their metabolic significance.
• Regulation of gluconeogenesis and the conditions for activation of this pathway
• The main stages of the Krebs cycle and how it contributes to energy production
• Definition of lipid metabolism and how lipids are used as a source of energy.
• The role of electronic transport and oxidative phosphorylation in energy production.