Biochemistry

Code:

103

Acronym:

103

Instance: 2006/2007 - A

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://www.fmd.up.pt/labcell
Course/CS Responsible:

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MD	99	Plano oficial a partir de 2000	1	8	12	-
		Plano oficial a partir de 2005	1	8	12	-

Objectives

"Biochemistry" - complete understanding, at the molecular level, of the chemical processes associated with living cells - aims at:
. Knowledge of the structure and function of the biomelecules
. Study of the main metabolic pathways of the carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, and their regulatory mechanisms
. Integration of the metabolism
. Characterization of the mechanisms of transmission of genetic information
. Understanding of the biochemistry basis of representative physiopathological processes
. Aquisition of skils in laboratorial work and tretment of results

Program

Part I – Introduction to the biologic processes
• Characteristics of the living matter
- relationship biochemistry / medicine
• Organic and inorganic biomolecules
• Water

Part II – Structure and function of the organic biomolecules
• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Proteins
• Enzymatic catalysis
• Nucleic acids

Part III – Storage end transmission of genetic information
• Transcription
• Translation
• Aplications of new technologies - cloning and production of recombinant proteins

Part IV – Organic biomolecules in the organism
• Chemical reactions: - general concepts
- different types of reactions
- physiological examples
• Bioenergetic of biological processes: - transformations and interconversions of energy in living organisms

Part V - Metabolism of biomolecules
• Carbonhydrates: - digestion and absorption of carbonhydrates
- glicolysis
- Krebs cycle
- cellular respiration and oxidative phosphorylation
- via das pentoses fosfato
- glycogen synthesis and degradation
- gluconeogenesis
- metabolism integration
• Lipids: - digestion and absorption of lipids
- oxidation of fatty acids
- synthesis and utilization of ketone bodies
- synthesis of fatty acids
- synthesis of triglycerides and phospholipids
- cholesterol metabolism
- origin, transport and destiny of plasma lipids
- metabolism integration
• Proteins: - digestion and absorption of proteins
- catabolism of aminoacids
- nitrogen excretion and urea cycle
- aminoacid synthesis
- aminoacid derivatives with biological and / or comercial importance
• Purine and pyrimidine synthesis and degradation
• General integration of metabolism


Laboratory Works:
• Laboratory security guidelines
• Preparation of solutions
• pH determination using several pH indicators
• Sugar identification reactions (Molish's test, iodine reaction, Benedict's test, Barfoed's test and Seliwanoff's test
• Extraction and analysis by thin layer chromatography of the lipids from egg yolk
• Extraction and quantification of the cholesterol from egg yolk
• Protein identification reactions: precipitation, xantoproteic reaction, sulfur test, Sakaguchi reaction and ninidrin test
• Determination of the concentration of proteions in a sample: comparison between Biuret and Bradford methods
• Preparation and running of a SDS-PAGE
• Determination of the isoelectric point of a protein
• Study of saliva composition


Seminars: biochemistry - clinical correlations
• Bibliographic search in medicine
• Methods and analysis techniques in biochemistry: biomolecules separation and purification
• Acids and bases: clinical implications of the electrolytic equilibria
• Glucose homeostasis: diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus e glycogenosis
• Oxigen and life: reactive oxygen species in oxidative stress, inflamation and aging
• Lipids e lipoproteins: hyperlipidemies and atherosclerosis
• Muscle activity: structure, function and metabolism of the muscle
• Plasmatic proteins: functions and associated pathologies
• Bone tissue: - chemical and biological composition
- mineralization process
• Genetic expression and DNA recombinant technologies

Main Bibliography

“Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry”, 4ª edition. D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox. Freeman, 2005

“Harper’s Ilustrated Biochemistry”, 26ª edition. R.K. Murray, D.K. Granner, P.A. Mayes, V.W. Rodwell. Lange/McGraw-Hill, 2003.

“Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations”, 5ª edition. T.M. Devlin. Wiley-Liss, 2002.

“Biochemistry”, 5ª edition. J.M. Berg, J.L. Tymoczko, L. Stryer. Freeman, 2002.

Complementary Bibliography

Manual das Aulas Práticas – João Rodrigues – FMDUP

“Medical Biochemistry”, 2nd edition, Baynes JW, Dominiczak MH, Elsevier Mosby, 2005.

“Bioquímica para o clínico”. Borel J-P, Maquart F-X, Gillery P, Exposito M. Instituto Piaget, 1999.

Teaching methods and learning activities

• Theoretical-practical sessions: 1 session of 60 minutes and 1 session of 90 minutes per week.

• Practical sessions: 1 session of 120 minutes.
1st semester: Laboratory work
2nd semester: Discussion of the main metabolic pathways of the organism. Exercises.

Total sessions time per student per week: 4h30min.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Eligibility for exams

Attendance of at least 2/3 of the theoretical-practical and practical sessions.

Minimum classification of the continuous assessment to attend the written exam = 2 points (maximum = 4 points)

Calculation formula of final grade

Option 1:
Arithmetic mean of the classifications of the two mid-term tests + classification of the continuous evaluation + classification of the oral presentation.

Option 2:
Classification of the final test + classification of the continuous evaluation + classification of the oral presentation.

Minimum final classification of approval = 10 points (out of 20)

Classification improvement

General rules established by the Pedagogic Council of the Faculty.

Observations

Teaching staff:
Maria Helena Raposo Fernandes
João Rodrigues
Pedro de Sousa Gomes