Code: | Q3002 | Acronym: | Q3002 | Level: | 300 |
Keywords | |
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Classification | Keyword |
OFICIAL | Chemistry |
Active? | Yes |
Web Page: | |
Responsible unit: | Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry |
Course/CS Responsible: | Bachelor in Chemistry |
Acronym | No. of Students | Study Plan | Curricular Years | Credits UCN | Credits ECTS | Contact hours | Total Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L:B | 1 | Official Study Plan | 3 | - | 6 | 56 | 162 |
L:CC | 0 | Plano de estudos a partir de 2014 | 2 | - | 6 | 56 | 162 |
3 | |||||||
L:F | 0 | Official Study Plan | 2 | - | 6 | 56 | 162 |
3 | |||||||
L:G | 0 | study plan from 2017/18 | 3 | - | 6 | 56 | 162 |
L:M | 4 | Official Study Plan | 2 | - | 6 | 56 | 162 |
3 | |||||||
L:Q | 34 | study plan from 2016/17 | 3 | - | 6 | 56 | 162 |
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.
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.
LECTURES
1.THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF LIFE AND CHEMICAL PROCESSES IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
1.1 Chemical constituents of biological systems Water. Ions with biological importance. Carbohydrates. Lipids. Proteins. Nucleic acids.
1.2 Genetic information: storage / transmission.
1.3 Major metabolic pathways of cells. Glycolysis. Krebs cycle. Oxidative phosphorylation. Comparison of the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation and substrate-level phosphorylation. Photosynthesis.
2. PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROCESSES: SELF-ASSEMBLY, TRANSPORTE AND CATALYSIS
2.1 Self-Organization and Biomembranes. Self-organization of lipids: micelles, vesicles and liqui crystals; phase diagrams; the biological cell membranes; structure and composition of the membranes; compartmentalization.
2.2 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.
2.3 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.
The course comprises theoretical lectures and problem-solving classes, in which the students will also make oral presentations on selected topics.
designation | Weight (%) |
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Exame | 80,00 |
Participação presencial | 20,00 |
Total: | 100,00 |
designation | Time (hours) |
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Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico | 22,00 |
Estudo autónomo | 84,00 |
Frequência das aulas | 56,00 |
Total: | 162,00 |
Attendance of practical classes is mandatory. The student loses frequency if he/she exceeds a number of absences equal to 1/4 of the lessons foreseen.
The evaluation will involve two components: (i) attendance, problem solving and oral presentations, grade N (AC), (ii) written part, grade NE.
The final grade will be calculated as follows: NF = 0.20 x N (AC) + 0.80 x NE.
The written part comprises test T1 and test T2 test performed during the regular season, with:
NE = 0.50 x T1 + 0.50 x T2
Approval implies cumulativey grade T1 ≥ 8 (out of 20), grade T2 ≥ 8 out of 20), NE ≥ 10 (em 20) e NF ≥ 10.
Grade NE is recalculated to 16.0 (80% NF). Grade N (AC), corresponding to 4.0 points (20% NF), has the following components: attendance in class and evaluation of practical classes.
In the regular season exam, the students may take T1 and/or T2 if they did not get approval (≥ 8). In the retake season exam, the students may perform T1 and/or T2 for approval or improval of grades.
Students with the status of student-worker who can not attend the theoretical-practical classes need to contact the teachers so as to have N (AC) grade replaced with the grade of a monograph or oral presentation.