Morpho-Functional SciencesModule Biochemistry
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: CARMELINA DANIELA ANFUSOExpected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide an adequate preparation for the knowledge of the molecular basis of life, the fundamental chemical properties of substances, the structure and function of macromolecules involved in life processes, in the cell and in the organism, and the metabolic transformations of biomolecules necessary for the functioning of the human.
Course Structure
Traditional
lectures, with the support of slides and audiovisual tools. At the end of the
lecture, ample space is given to the comment on the discussed topics.
Should
teaching be carried out in mixed modality or remotely, it may be necessary to
introduce changes with respect to previous roles, in line with the programme
planned and outlined in the Syllabus.
Information
for students with disabilities and/or SLD
To
guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force,
students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and
/ or dispensatory measures, based on the didactic objectives and specific
needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for
Active and Participated Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or SLD) of
competence.
Required Prerequisites
The course includes the minimum basic requirements to be able to follow the lessons and take the final exam. The student attending the Biochemistry course will have to know the fundamental concepts of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biochemical Propaedeutics and have a good knowledge base of physics and cell biology.
Attendance of Lessons
Mandatory, according to the percentages of attendance dictated by the regulations of the Degree Program.
Detailed Course Content
- PROTEINS
- CHROMOPROTEINS FOR OXYGEN TRANSPORT
- PLASMA PROTEIN
- ENZYMES AND ENZYMATIC CATALYSIS
- THE CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM
- THE LIPID METABOLISM
- THE METABOLISM OF AMINOACID
- VITAMINS
- MECHANISM OF ACTION OF HORMONES AND METABOLIC INTEGRATIONS
Textbook Information
- Chimica e Biochimica – Bertoldi, Colombo, Magni, Manin, Palestini – EdiSES Editori (reference text)
- Introduzione alla Biochimica di Lehninger – D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox – ZANICHELLI
- Biochimica medica – Siliprandi, Tettamanti – PICCIN (for further information)
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PROTEINS. The structure of amino acids. The peptide bond. Structural organization of proteins: primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary structures. Globular proteins: albumin and chromoproteins. Fibrous proteins: collagen, elastin, keratin. | The topics are present within the book in the chapters and on the pages indicated in the index of the chosen text. |
| 2 | CHROMOPROTEINS CARRIERS OF OXYGEN. The structure of the Eme. Insertion of oxygen. Myoglobin: structure and function. Similarities and differences with Hemoglobin. Hemoglobin: structure and function. The transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The Hemoglobin Buffer System. Pathological hemoglobins: metHb, Carboxy Hb, Thalassemia. | The topics are present within the book in the chapters and on the pages indicated in the index of the chosen text. |
| 3 | PLASMA PROTEINS. Albumin and its main functions. The main plasma proteins: gamma-globulins (function and outline of the structure); plasma lipoproteins, metabolism and physiological role. Notes on the coagulation cascade. | The topics are present within the book in the chapters and on the pages indicated in the index of the chosen text. |
| 4 | ENZYMES AND ENZYMATIC CATALYSIS. Enzyme characteristics and enzymatic catalysis. Activation energy. Isoenzymes. Enzyme kinetics. Regulation of enzymatic activity. The Michaelis-Menten constant. The double reciprocal plot: Lineweaver and Burk. Enzyme inhibition. Regulated and regulatory proteins. | The topics are present within the book in the chapters and on the pages indicated in the index of the chosen text. |
| 5 | GLUCIDIC METABOLISM. Glycolysis and regulation. Gluconeogenesis and regulation. The Krebs cycle and regulation. Fermentations and LDH. The Cori and alanine cycles. The metabolic fate of pyruvate. Fermentations and LDH. The Cori and alanine cycles. The metabolic fate of pyruvate. The relationship between glycolysis and cancer. The Krebs cycle and its regulation. | The topics are present within the book in the chapters and on the pages indicated in the index of the chosen text. |
| 6 | LIPID METABOLISM. Digestion and absorption of fatty acids. Plasma lipoproteins and their metabolism. Beta-oxidation: regulation and its energy yield. Formation, properties, and role of ketone bodies. Fatty acid synthesis and its regulation. Inflammation and prostaglandin synthesis. | The topics are present within the book in the chapters and on the pages indicated in the index of the chosen text. |
| 7 | AMINO ACIDS METABOLISM. Digestion and absorption of amino acids and peptides. Amino acid catabolism: transamination, deamination, and decarboxylation reactions. Glutamate dehydrogenase. Renal glutaminase. The urea cycle and its regulation. Branched-chain amino acids. | The topics are present within the book in the chapters and on the pages indicated in the index of the chosen text. |
| 8 | VITAMINS. Hydrophilic and lipophilic vitamins. Metabolic and pathological implications of vitamins. | The topics are present within the book in the chapters and on the pages indicated in the index of the chosen text. |
| 9 | HORMONAL MECHANISM OF ACTION. Insulin, glucagon, adrenaline, thyroid hormones, and activated intracellular signaling pathways. | The topics are present within the book in the chapters and on the pages indicated in the index of the chosen text. |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Oral interview. Evaluation criteria: relevance of answers to the questions asked, quality of content, ability to connect with other topics in the program, ability to provide examples, technical language, and the student's overall expressive ability. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with applicable laws, interested students may request an interview to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their learning objectives and specific needs. In this case, it is recommended that you contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSA) contact professor in the Department in which the Degree program is located.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
- The Cori cycle and the Alanine cycles
- The biochemistry of muscle contraction
- Transamination reactions+
- The Krebs Cycle and its regulation