Biochemistry

Learning Results

The intended learning outcomes of the curricular unit of Biochemistry are the following:
1 – A holistic understanding of the structural and functional aspects of the biomolecules, as the basic units of an organism;
2 – Recognition of the importance of the structure-function relationship;
3 – Comprehension of the main biochemical reactions in living organisms;
4 – Understanding the main metabolic routes and the bioenergetics of the cell;
5 – Critical review of scientific literature relevant for research in the field of expertise.
At the end of this curricular unit, students should be able to:
– Globally understand the cell functionning and thus the organism;
– Identify the structure of the biomolecules and unsderstand the relationship structure-function;
– Understand the principles of bioenergetics and of cellular metabolism, and how its regulation is achieved at a cellular level;
– Undertake advanced search in databases of scientific literature and critically review it.

Program

Theoretical
INTRODUCTION-1h
Description of the syllabus, bibliography and assessment methodology
Diagnosis of previous knowledge
BIOMOLECULES:
AMINOACIDS-2h
Structure and classification
Acid-base characterization and importance as biological buffer systems
PROTEINS-4H
Structure and function
Globin: myoglobin and hemoglobin
Alosteric properties of hemoglobin
Cooperative oxygen binding in hemoglobin
Bohr-Haldane effect
ENZYMES-4h
Classification
Mecanisms of enzymatic catalysis
Enzymatic cinetics
Enzymatics regulation
Mecanisms of enzymatic inhibition
GLUCIDS-1h
Structure, physicochemical properties and function
LIPIDS-2h
Structure, physicochemical properties and function
NUCLEIC ACIDS-1h
Structure, physicochemical properties and function
BIOENERGETICS AND CELLULAR METABOLISM
METABOLISM/REGULATION:
-GLUCID -8h
-LIPID-2h
-AMINOACID AND NUCLEOTIDE-2h
METABOLISM OVERVIEW-1h
Theoretical-Practical
DATABASE RESEARCH-30h
Working group dedicated to metabolic diseases

Internship(s)

NAO

Bibliography

Quintas A, Freire AP, Halpern MJ. Organização Molecular da Vida, ed. Lidel.
Bioquímica Ilustrada de Harper. McGrawHill. Ed. Lange
Lehninger-Principles of Biochemistry, International Edition, Nelson DL & Cox MM, MacMillan ed, WH Freeman and Company, NY, USA
Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Stryer L. Bioquímica. Guanabara koogan