Biochemistry
Objectives
The aim is for students to understand the physicochemical basis of the relationship between the structure and function of biological macromolecules and the strategy of central metabolism. The teaching is organized so that students apply the theoretical concepts in the analysis of experimental results obtained in the laboratory and in solving problems.
At the end of this course, students should:
- To know the techniques for purifying and characterizing proteins;
- To understand the mechanisms of oxygen transport by hemoglobin/myoglobin and distinguish between cooperative and non-cooperative binding;
- Use mathematical models to calculate the kinetic parameters of Michaelis enzymes in the absence and presence of inhibitors and the effect of temperature and pH on reactions rates;
- To have knowledge on the structures and their organization into biological membranes. To understand the different types of biological transport;
- Understand the flow of energy in cells and know how to quantify it, using thermodynamic functions;
- To know the central metabolic pathway, its regulation and its connection to the respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
General characterization
Code
10697
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Maria Alice Santos Pereira
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 59
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
There are no compulsory requirements, but it is recommended that students pass the Introduction to Biochemistry and General Chemistry courses.
Bibliography
LEHNINGER PRINCIPLES OF BIOCHEMISTRY
Nelson, D.L., & Cox, M.M.
W.H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco, 8th ed., 2021
FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOCHEMISTRY. LIFE AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL
Voet, D., Voet, J.G. & Pratt, C.W.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 5th ed., 2016
BIOCHEMISTRY
Berg, J.M., Tymoczko, J.L., Gatto Jr, G.J. & Stryer L.
W. H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco. 9th ed., 2022
LIPPNCOTT ILLUSTRATED REVIEWS: BIOCHEMISTRY
Ferrier, D.R.
Wolters Kluwer. 7th ed., 2017
Teaching method
This Curricular Unit (UC) encompasses theoretical, theoretical-practical, and practical classes.
Lectures are delivered using digital presentations and are supported with a bibliography accessible on the CLIP platform. The introductory lecture outlines the course structure and assessment methods.
In the theoretical-practical classes, exercises are solved to apply the theoretical concepts.
In practical classes, students carry out experimental work following specific protocols on topics covered in theoretical and theoretical-practical classes. Preparing for laboratory work and analyzing experimental results are crucial components of student learning, guided by the instructor. These activities are assessed to ensure a well-rounded education that encompasses both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Evaluation method
I. General conditions for participation, attendance and assessment of the curricular unit (UC):
1. The Biochemistry course includes theoretical classes (21 hours), theoretical-practical classes (18 hours) and practical laboratory classes (20 hours).
- Attendance at all practical laboratory classes is compulsory
2. The assessment process includes evaluations of the theoretical and practical parts of the course.
3. Students who have not attended the practical part of the course are excluded from the assessment of the theoretical part.
4. There will be no extraordinary repeat sessions of practical laboratory work.
5. The marks for all the assessment elements will be rounded up to the nearest tenth; the marks for each component will be included in the final classification formula, also rounded up to the nearest tenth.
6. The final grade will be improved in the final exam and only for the theoretical component.
7. Students will pass the course with a grade of 9.5 or higher.
8. In any case, the teacher reserves the right to give an oral exam to any student enrolled in the course for final approval.
II. Obtaining "frequency":
9.Attendance at the practical part of the course is compuslsoy and consists of carrying out practical laboratory work in groups of up to 3 students, preparing this work and preparing the respective questionnaires.
- The student''s punctuality, preparation for the practical classes and execution of the experimental work will contribute to obtaining the grade
10. If a student passes the practical part but has not passed the theoretical part of the course, they will be allowed to attend the practical part of the course in subsequent academic years.
III. Assessment of the theoretical and practical components of the course:
III. Evaluation of the theoretical and practical components of the course:
11. Continuous assessment through three continuous assessment tests throughout the semester (includes assessment of the practical component).
12. Assessment by the final exam (includes assessment of the practical component).
Subject matter
1. Proteins: Review of basic concepts.
2. Methods of separation and characterization of proteins.
3. Examples of correlation structure-function in proteins.
4. Enzymes and general concepts of enzyme kinetics (Michaelis-Menten model). Effect of temperature, pH and the presence of inhibitors.
5. Biological membranes. Types of biological transport.
6. Metabolism. General characteristics of metabolism. Bioenergetics. Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Fermentation. The tricarboxylic acid cycle. Mitochondrial electronic transfer and oxidative phosphorylation.
Laboratory sessions
1. Quantification of protein by visible spectroscopy.
2. Separation of proteins by column liquid chromatography: A) Observation of the different forms of hemoglobin using size exclusion chromatography; B) Separation of the proteins catalase and cytochrome c by ion exchange chromatography.
3-4. Kinetic characterization of the lactase enzyme (parts A and B): i) Effect of temperature and pH; ii) Effect of varying substrate concentration and presence of inhibitor; iii) Determination of the initial velocity condition.
5. Determination of the formal potential of oxidation-reduction of cytochrome c.