Biological Chemistry

Code:

Q244

Acronym:

Q244

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Chemistry

Instance: 2015/2016 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Chemistry

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:Q	17	Plano de estudos Oficial	2	-	5	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The main goal of this course is to present a coherent and integrated view of the chemical foundations of major biological phenomena, beginning with a description of the molecular basis of life and continuing with a physico-chemical description and rationalization of vital biological processes and major metabolic pathways of living organisms.

 

Learning outcomes and competences

It is intended that the students develop the following skills and abilities: 1. To identify the major chemical components of biological systems, to characterize their structure and know their main functions. 2.  To apply the basic principles of energetics to processes that occur in living systems. 3. To recognize the role of enzymes as biological catalysts and to understand the kinetics associated with their operation. 4. To know the basics of the main metabolic processes and understand their biological significance.

Working method

Presencial

Program

LECTURES 1. THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF LIFE 1.1 Chemical constituents of biological systems Water. Ions with biological importance. Carbohydrates. Lipids. Proteins. Nucleic acids. 1.2 The biological cell membranes Structure and composition of the membranes. Compartmentalization. 1.3 Genetic information: storage / transmission 2. CHEMICAL PROCESSES IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS 2.1 Bioenergetics Standard state in biochemistry and thermodynamics of biochemical reactions. Membrane potential, electrochemical potential, electrochemical balance. Membrane permeability, active transport and passive transport. Energetics of active transport. Chemiosmotic theory. Action potential in nerve cells. 2.2 Enzyme Kinetics Basic equations of enzyme kinetics; Michaelis-Menten equation.Enzyme inhibition. Allosteric effects. Effect of pH and temperature on the speed of enzymatic reactions. 2.3 Major metabolic pathways of cells Glycolysis. Krebs cycle. Oxidative phosphorylation. Comparison of the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation and substrate-level phosphorylation. Photosynthesis. PRACTICAL CLASSES Problem solving and oral presentations of selected topics.

Mandatory literature

000088543. ISBN: 978-0-7167-4339-2
000096606. ISBN: 978-972-757-431-5
000086332. ISBN: 0-7167-3746-9
000087496. ISBN: 1-891389-33-5
000089321. ISBN: 0-1992-8095-9 (Oxford)

Teaching methods and learning activities

The course comprises theoretical lectures and problem-solving classes, in which the students will also make oral presentations on selected topics.

keywords

Physical sciences > Chemistry
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Biochemistry

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	80,00
Participação presencial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	84,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	140,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance of lectures and practical classes is compulsory. The student loses frequency if he/she exceeds a number of absences equal to 1/4 of the lessons envisaged: lectures, 7, practical classes, 3.

Calculation formula of final grade

The evaluation will involve two components: (i) attendance, problem solving and oral presentations, grade N (AC), (ii) final exam, grade NE. The final grade will be calculated as follows: NF = 0.20 x N (AC) + 0.80 x NE Students may choose to replace the final exam by performing three tests (T1, T2 and T3), corresponding to the three modules of the course, as follows: NE = (T1 + T2 + T3) / 3 Tests T1 and T2 will be held during the semester on a date to be arranged. The T3 test is performed during the examination of the regular season. At this time, students can also improve their grades by repeating T1 and/or T2. Grade NE is always calculated with the best grades from the different tests and values recalculated to 16.0 (80% NF). Grade N (AC), corresponding to 4.0 points (20% NF), has the following components: attendance in class (1.0 points), evaluation of practical classes (3 x 1.0 values corresponding to the sum of the scores of the 3 modules of the course).

Examinations or Special Assignments

Students with the status of student-worker who can not attend theoretical and practical classes need to contact the coordinator of the discipline so as to have N (AC) grade replaced with the grade for a monograph or oral presentation.