Biological Chemistry

Code:

Q3002

Acronym:

Q3002

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Chemistry

Instance: 2020/2021 - 1S

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:B	0	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	2	-	6	56	162
			3
L:M	2	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	56	162
			3
L:Q	47	study plan from 2016/17	3	-	6	56	162

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 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. TEMODYNAMIC AND KINETIC ASPECTS OF BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES
2.1 The life and laws of thermodynamics; Gibbs energy as a criterion of spontaneity of biological processes; equilibrium and the minimumof Gibbs  energy 
2.2 The hydrophobic effect and self-aggregation of amphiphilic macromolecules, micelles, liposomes and biological membranes (structure and composition); importance of cell compartmentalization for life
2.3 The thermodynamics of transport through membranes; active transport and passive transport. Electrochemical membrane potential. Active transport energy. Chemiosmotic theory.
2.4 Thermodynamics of biochemical reactions; standard biochemical state, spontaneity and coupling. Oxidation-reduction reactions and cellular respiration. Acid-base properties of amino acids and proteins and acid-base buffers in biological environments.
2.3 Enzymatic kinetics. Basic equations of enzymatic kinetics; equation of Michaëlis-Menten. Enzymatic inhibition. Effect of pH and temperature on the rate of enzymatic reactions.

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 (%)
Participação presencial	5,00
Teste	95,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	56,00

Eligibility for exams

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.

Calculation formula of final grade

Continuous assessment involves two tests T1 and T2 during the semester, which average leads to a NT rating


NT = 0.50 x T1 + 0.50 x T2

The commitment shown in TPs classes may be worth up to a maximum of 1 value in the final grade.

Success in UC cumulatively implies T1 score ≥ 8 (out of 20), T2 score ≥ 8 (out of 20), NT ≥ 10 (out of 20)


In the normal exam, students may take part T1 and / or part T2 if they have not obtained a minimum grade (8).

In the appeal season exam, the exam will be global

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students with student worker status may opt for exam assessment

Classification improvement

Retake season exam