General Biochemistry

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Lecture classes will focus on the curricular unit core notions whereas practical classes will focus on exercise sheets resolution by the students. Lecture classes will take advantage of powerpoint presentations projection and in the practical classes the exercise sheets correct answers will be revealed at the end of the class. The study material is available through the platform adopted by ISEC.

At the end of this curricular unit the student should identify the the basic notions of biochemistry, obtain comprehensive knowledge of the chemical structure and properties of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids and understand their biological importance.

1. Introductory principles of biochemistry. Main molecular interactions: Covalent, ionic and hydrogen bonds, dipoles and van der Waals forces. Solubility of compounds: The aqueous medium, solubility of ionizable, polar, non-polar and amphipathic compounds. Acids, bases, salts, buffers and pH.

2. Structure and properties of proteins. Structural units of proteins (amino acids). Stereochemistry of amino acids, amino acids as dipolar ions, acid-base chemistry of amino acids, amino acid reactions. Amide or peptidic bond: Features. Separation and amino acid analysis: Determination of the amino acid sequence of a protein. Characterization of proteins: size, function and acid-base properties, proteins classification, structural proteins levels (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary); forces that determine the structure.

3. Structure and properties of carbohydrates. Monosaccharides: Fischer projections; stereochemistry; cyclic structures; Haworth projections; monosaccharides cyclization reactions, mutarotation; Major monosaccharides. Monosaccharides reactions: Reducing sugars; Oxidation, reduction, esterification and amine derivatives. Glycosidic bond: disaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides.

4. Structure and properties of lipids. Fatty acids: essential fatty acids. Glycerolipids: Chemical properties of triacylglycerols; Acylglycerol reactions: hydrolysis, saponification and hydrogenation. Phospholipids: glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids: sphingomyelins; sphingoglycolipids. Polyisoprenic lipids: terpenes, steroids. Waxes. Prostaglandins.

The students can choose one of the following evaluation methodologies: (i) continuous evaluation conducted throughout the semester by a total of 2 interim evaluations; (ii) assessment by final written exam quoted to 20 values (100%). Students who complete all theoretical continuous assessment instruments do not have access to the “normal” period exam. In the written tests it is not allow the consultation of any document or use of any electronic equipment.

The Final Classification of the curricular unit will result from the following equation: CFinal = 0.50×T1 + 0.50×T2, where T1 is the classification of the 1st test and T2 the classification of the 2nd test. To obtain approval for the General Biochemistry course students must obtain a final grade equal to or greater than 9.5 values (from 0 to 20).

The applicable attendance regime is defined in the Coimbra Polytechnic Institute Regulations for the Professional Technical Higher Courses: “Whenever a student is eligible for funding for a CTeSP, namely, from the Structural Funds of the European Union, it is mandatory to attend at least 75% of the total class hours of each course unit in order for the student to be assessed under continuous/periodic evaluation, and at least 50% for the student to be assessed through examination, without prejudice to the situations provided for by law.”  

NAO