General Biochemistry A
Objectives
Aims:
After the course it is expected that the students know the basic structural features of the major biological macromolecules and understand the physical-chemical principles underlying the relationship between structure and function. The students should also understand the strategy, regulation, and bioenergetics of the central metabolic pathway. It is expected that the students apply the concepts developed in the lectures to the analysis of experimental results obtained in the laboratory classes and to problem solving.
General characterization
Code
10650
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Pedro António de Brito Tavares
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 56
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
Strongly recommended a basic background of organic chemistry and general chemistry.
Bibliography
Main references
LEHNINGER PRINCIPLES OF BIOCHEMISTRY
Nelson, D.L., & Cox, M.M.
W.H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco, 7th ed., 2017
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., & Stryer L.
W. H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco. 8th ed., 2015
BIOCHEMISTRY. A SHORT COURSE
Berg, J.M., Tymoczko, J.L., & Stryer L.
W. H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco. 3rd ed, 2015
Teaching method
The course is organized in lectures, laboratory classes and workshops. The students must apply the concepts developed in the lectures to the analysis of the experimental results obtained in the laboratory and to problem solving in the workshops.
Evaluation method
The final grade is calculated according to the following formula:
Final grade = arithmetic mean of the tests
Students will pass the course with a grade of 9.5 or higher.
Attendance:
1. Mandatory attendance of the 5 practical laboratory sessions
The student''s punctuality, preparation for the practical classes and execution of the experimental work will all contribute to obtaining attendance
2. Attendance at 70% of the theoretical classes and 70% of the theoretical-practical classes (only for first-time students).
Important notes:
The marks for all assessment elements will be rounded up to the nearest tenth;
Students who have not passed the continuous assessment will be admitted to the appeal exam.
Improvement of the final grade is made in the appeal exam and only upon registration.
In any case, the course leader reserves the right to give an oral exam, for final approval, to any student enrolled in the course.
Subject matter
4. Summary of the lectures:
1- Introduction to Biochemistry (Biological structures, metabolic pathways, expression and transmission of genetic information).
2- The amino acids properties: peptide bonds - Classification and characteristics. Acid-base properties
3- Levels of protein structure organization: primary, secondary (alpha helices, beta sheets and other structural elements), tertiary and quaternary structures. Protein isolation, purification and sequencing.
4- Fibrous proteins (Keratin, silk, collagen) and globular protein (Myoglobin and hemoglobin)
5- Structure-function mechanisms in the hemoglobin.
6- Enzyme kinetics Inhibition and regulation.
7- Enzyme mechanisms: Lisozima, Ribonuclease, Carboxipeptidase, Quimotripsina.
8- Carbohydrates (Classification and function). Monosaccharides and structural and storage polysaccharides (cellulose, chitin, starch and glycogen). Glycoproteins (Proteoglycans and glycosylated proteins).
9- Biological Membranes: structure and dynamic. Biological transport: Passive-mediated transport, active-transport. Ion channels, Uniport, symport, and antiporte systems.
10- Nucleic acids (RNA and DNA): structure and function. Denaturation and Renaturation of nucleic acid. Restriction endonucleases: the chain- terminator method of DNA sequencing and Manual sequencing. Recombinant DNA technology. PCR and site-directed mutagenesis techniques.
11- Metabolism (Catabolism and anabolism) and Bioenergetics: Glycolysis, lactic and alcoholic fermentation, Citric acid Cycle, electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
12 – Photosynthesis.
Problem-solving sessions:
1 -Amino acid and Proteins – Acid-base properties
2 - Structure polypeptides and proteins.
3 - Enzyme kinetics
4 - Nucleic acids. Biological membranes.
5 – Metabolism
Laboratory sessions :
1 – Amino acid titrations
2 – Separation of biological compounds by chromatography
A – Gel filtration
B – Ionic Chromatography
3 – Enzymatic characterization of Lactase
4 - Protein determination
5- Cythochrome c reduction potential