General Biochemistry

Cell biology and organic chemistry (basics).

The theoretical contents of the curricular unit will be presented through lectures, illustrated whenever possible with practical case-studies dedicated to metabolism in Biochemistry (PBL-Problem-based learning) and exercises regarding biomarkers (muscle injury or oxidative stress), in which students are encouraged to apply the competences acquired.

The intended learning outcomes of the curricular unit of Biochemistry are the following:

 1 – The study of the chemical structure of the biomolecules of the cell, and the relation with the function;

2 – The analysis of the main metabolic pathways, and the bioenergetics of the cell, its integration and regulation;

3 – The description of each metabolic pathway activated under anaerobic or aerobic exercise;

4- The study of biomarkers of muscular injury and oxidative stress.

At the end of this curricular unit, students should be able to:

– Identify the functional groups of the struture of the biomolecules and relate with the function;

– Describe the principles associated with enzyme kinetics and inhibition;

– Describe the main metabolic pathways, its association with the cell bioenergetics, the main key-enzymes;

– Describe the hormonal regulation of the metabolism pathways, and the metabolic adaptations in fasting, illness or in physical exercise;

– Identify biomarkers of muscle injury and of oxidative stress.

T – Theoretical syllabus

BIOMOLECULES           

1. AMINO ACIDS and PROTEINS                                                                                                                                 

1.1 Structure-function

1.2 Globin family of proteins (case study)

2. ENZYMES                                                                                                                                         

2.1 Catalysis; Kinetics; Regulation of enzymatic activity; Enzymatic inhibition

2.2 Case studies of isoenzymes as biomarkers of muscle damage or injury

3. CARBOHYDRATES                                                                                                                          

3.1 Structure-function

4. LIPIDS                                                                                                                                                

4.1 Structure-function

5. BIOENERGETICS AND CELLULAR METABOLISM

5.1 AMINOACID METABOLISM/REGULATION                                                                                

5.2 GLUCID METABOLISM/REGULATION                                                                                         

5.3 LIPID METABOLISM/REGULATION                                                                                        

5.4 METABOLISM OVERVIEW/INTEGRATION/ADAPTATION                                                           

6. Biomarkers in metabolism and of muscle injury or oxidative stress

NAO