Biochemistry I

Code:

CN12002

Acronym:

BIOQ I

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Health Sciences
OFICIAL	Physical Sciences

Instance: 2020/2021 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Nutrition Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CNUP	111	Plano oficial	1	-	5,5	56	148,5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The overall objective of this course is to stimulate students' curiosity about general aspects of carbohydrate metabolism presented in a basic, technological and clinical form, demonstrating how nutrients are metabolized, interact with each other and interfere with multiple metabolic systems and regulators of the human body. The alterations of carbohydrate metabolism in different physiological and pathological settings will be discussed. The interest and importance of the issues addressed will be demonstrated through resolution of practical issues applied to different professional areas of nutritionists. It is intended that students are able to interpret and evaluate the risks and health benefits of certain dietary changes and their biochemical basis. The practical work allows students to observe effects of processes related to theoretical knowledge, contributing to its consolidation, acquiring scientific critical thinking and understanding the structure of the construction of knowledge in science, always based on biochemical processes of food and nutritional interest.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the course students should be able to:

-Identify the main carbohydrates from a food, chemical and metabolic perspective

-Integrate the vitamins’ metabolism in the macronutrients metabolism

-Refer the changes in glucose metabolism associated with different physiological states, such as pregnancy and intense physical exercise

-Recognize the role of external factors, such as microbiota and chronobiology, in carbohydrates metabolism

-Explain the importance of the carbohydrates metabolism in several metabolic disorders like obesity, diabetes and cancer

-Draw a translational research project

Working method

Presencial

Program

The program is based on the introduction of general essential concepts about the metabolism, in particular genral carbohydrate metabolism and in different physiological states as in situations of hunger, pregnancy and intense physical exercis. The clinical implications of carbohydrate metabolism dysregulation such as food intolerances, insulin resistance and diabetes will also be addressed. We will also discuss therapeutic, pharmacological and nutritional approaches, to diabetes.

Other more specific aspects with relevance in glycidic metabolism, such as diet polyphenols, microbiota and chronobiology, will be addressed.

The laboratory research work will be related to the glycemic index.

Mandatory literature

Murray Robert K. 070; Harperc2b4s illustrated biochemistry. ISBN: 978-0-07-179277-6
Alberts Bruce 070; Molecular biology of the cell. ISBN: 0-8153-4106-7
Nelson David L.; Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. ISBN: 978-0-7167-7108-1
Stryer Lubert; Biochemistry. ISBN: 0-7167-8724-5

Teaching methods and learning activities

The unit program includes lectures and practical classes in a total of 4 hours per week per student, during the semester. Teaching activities will involve all the teaching team and active participation of all students will be stimulated.

Lectures will introduce the different themes of the program and will demonstrate the theoretical and practical interest of subjects. Problems related to the topics under study will be explored, pointing out its most controversial or difficult aspects and clues to their study will be suggested.

Students will carry out a research work at laboratory classes, providing the opportunity for bibliographical research, laboratory work and treatment of obtained results that will be presented at the end in a poster. Students will also have the opportunity to present emerging and relevant issues related to the unit program. The student participation in the proposed activities and the poster presentation will be evaluated and integrated in the continuous evaluation of the student.

This year, due to the special circumstances we live, the initiation toa scientific research project will have to be adapted to the current circumstances and to online teaching, but students will still have the opportunity to go through the essential steps of scientific research.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	80,00
Participação presencial	5,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	15,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	56,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Trabalho de investigação	20,00
Trabalho escrito	16,50
Total:	148,50

Eligibility for exams

To pass the unit the student must attend at least 75% of all practical laboratory classe and obtain a minimum of 8.0 (out of 20 values) in the sum of the differtent components of the continuous evaluation.

 The achievement of a successful frequency is valid for the following two academic years.

Calculation formula of final grade

Students will be continuously evaluated and submitted to a final written examination.

The final exam will consist of multiple choice questions, a small number of open questions and a theme for development (changes in the
typology may occur due to COVID conditions)

The students will need to have at least 8,0 (out of 20 values) so that the written examination can be complemented with the continuous evaluation.

The evaluation of the written examination will account 80% of the final evaluation. Students will also be continuously evaluated for their participation in the activities proposed in the practical laboratory classes that will account to 20% in the final evaluation. This component will value, presence, participation , previous preparation of the subjects, knowledge (5%), writting an abstract (5%) and the elaboration and presentation of a poster (10%).

Final evaluation = (Final exam evaluation x 0,8) + (continuous evaluation x 0,2).

Students with special status or condition should consult the section "Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)".

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

For students with special status or condition the continuous assessment component may be replaced by a work with a theme and date to be estabilshed with the teachers.

Observations

Student hours:  Tuesdays from 11 am to 12 pm, by prior appointment, by email, with the curricular unit's principal, and will be held online or at FCNAUP at a location to be determined.