BIOCHIMICA - Contenuti Del Corso.pdf

The course "BIOCHIMICA" (BIO/10) is offered in Italian at the University of Trieste during the second semester of the 2022/2023 academic year. It is a 6 CFU course, taught by Federica Tramer (Matricola: 007312), and is part of the SM40 - SCIENZE E TECNOLOGIE PER L'AMBIENTE E LA NATURA course.

The course aims to provide students with theoretical knowledge and a foundation for understanding the chemical nature and structure of biological molecules. It covers the following topics:

1. Introduction to Biomolecules: Covalent bonding, functional groups, and molecular hierarchy.
2. Proteins: Structure, function, amino acid properties, peptide bonds, structural levels, α-helix, β-conformation, β-folds, and forces stabilizing protein structures. Relationship between structure and function, with examples of fibrous and globular proteins, and oxygen transport in vertebrates and invertebrates.
3. Enzymatic Catalysis: Enzyme classification, coenzymes and cofactors, Michaelis-Menten model, enzyme inhibition, and regulation mechanisms like allosteric control and phosphorylation.
4. Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, glycogen), glycosaminoglycans, glycoconjugates, and the correlation between structure and function.
5. Lipids: Acid properties, structural and functional characteristics, lipid reserves (triacylglycerols), membrane lipids (glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol), membrane structure, protein transport, and signal transduction.
6. Nucleotides: Structure, function, DNA structure, and the flow of genetic information.
7. Bioenergetics and Metabolism: Bioenergetic principles, catabolism, anabolism, metabolic regulation, main metabolic pathways, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway, glycogen metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, citric acid cycle, electron transport chain, and ATP synthesis.

The course uses a combination of lectures, PowerPoint presentations, articles, and in-class discussions. Assessment is through a written exam with a mix of open-ended questions and multiple-choice questions, with the possibility of an oral integration.

Recommended textbooks include "BIOCHIMICA" by Nelson, Cox, Berg, Tymoczko, and Stryer, as well as "Brock Biology of Microorganisms" by Madigan and Martinko. The course aims to develop students' knowledge of biochimical terminology, understanding of macromolecular structure and function, and ability to apply this knowledge to other disciplines. It also fosters autonomy of judgment, communication skills, and learning abilities. Prerequisites include knowledge of general and organic chemistry, and basic cellular organization.