Biochemistry
Code
10697
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Química
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
Carlos Alberto Gomes Salgueiro
Weekly hours
4
Total hours
64
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
Provide the basic knowledge for the proper understanding of the biochemical and biological processes , particularly in terms of the cellulr compartimentation, regulation and function of the central metabolic pathways.
Prerequisites
The previous approval in any discipline is not mandatory. There is, though, advantage in the prior frequency of the discipline of Introduction to Biochemistry and introductory courses in the areas of General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry.
Subject matter
1. Macromolecules - Fibrous and globular proteins.
2. Methods of separation and characterization of proteins.
3. Examples of correlation structure-function in proteins.
4. Topics of enzymology.
5. Biological membranes. Biological transport topics.
6. Metabolism. General characteristics of metabolism. Bioenergetics. Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Fermentations. The tricarboxylic acid cycle. Mitochondrial electronic transfer and oxidative phosphorylation.
7. Photosynthesis and photophosphorylation.
Laboratory sessions
1. Quantification of protein by visible spectroscopy.
2. Separation of proteins by column chromatography: separation of hemoglobin and potassium ferricyanide by molecular exclusion chromatography. Observation of different forms of hemoglobin.
3. Separation of proteins by column chromatography: separation of the protein cytochrome c and catalase by ion-exchange chromatography.
4. Characterization of β-glucosidase enzyme produced by the fungus Penicillium glandicola
5. Determination of the formal potential of oxidation-reduction of cytochrome c.
Bibliography
Main References
LEHNINGER PRINCIPLES OF BIOCHEMISTRY
Nelson, D.L., & Cox, M.M.
W.H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco, 5th ed. 2008
PRINCIPLES OF BIOCHEMISTRY
Voet, D., Voet, J.G. & Pratt, C.W.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 4th ed. 2012
BIOCHEMISTRY
Lubert Stryer
W. H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco. 7th Ed. 2012.
Teaching method
Lectures (02:00, 14 weeks) and theoretical-practical lessons (03:00, 5 weeks), with the help of slides in Powerpoint; the talks are part of the teaching programme and the discussion and resolution of problems and questions are about matters of discipline. Laboratory sessions (03:00, 5 weeks) in groups of 3 to 4 students.
Evaluation method
I. General Conditions of participation, frequency and evaluation of UC
1. The UC of Biochemistry includes:
- theoretical lessons (2 hours per week);
- theoretical and practical classes (five sessions of 03:00)
- laboratory classes (five sessions of 03:00)
2. The participation in all laboratory classes is mandatory.
3. The evaluation process includes evaluation of the theoretical and practical parts of the curricular unit (UC).
4. Students without frequency on the practical part of the UC are excluded from the assessment of the theoretical component of the UC.
5. Extraordinary repetition sessions of laboratory work are not expected.
6. A student with frequency on the practical part but without approval in the theoretical part of the UC will retain the frequency of the practical part of the UC during the two subsequent academic years.
II. Obtaining frequency
7. The frequency of the practical part of the UC consists in the laboratory work and in its previous preparation and also in the elaboration of the respective questionnaires by each group of up to 4 students.
8. The ongoing assessment of the practical part of the UC includes:
-Capacity for the implementation of practical work in the laboratory and its appreciation by the lecturer in charge during the laboratory session.
-Assiduity and respect of the deadlines in the delivery of assignments.
-Delivery of the analysis of results and respective questionnaires.
9. The questionnaires of the practical work are responsibility of each group. The detection of plagiarism in a questionnaire, particularly on other quizzes of the UC, will result in the loss of frequency for all the members of the group.
III. Evaluation of the theoretical and practical parts of the UC
10. Ongoing evaluation of the UC consists in the execution of three tests.
11. The tests are held roughly every third of the semester and include separate parts of matter. Each test contains a group of issues relating to practical work carried out in the laboratory. In each test, the theoretical component contributes with 80% to the total grade. The remaining 20% correspond to the group with issues relating to practical work carried out in the laboratory in the current academic year. For approval, the classification in the first test cannot be less than 6 values and the average rating of the tests will have to be equal to or greater than 9.5.
12. The exam includes all matter and keeps the percentages of 80% (theoretical component) and 20% (practical component), such as in the tests. For approval, the classification in this exam must be equal to or greater than 9.5.
14. The students with approval on the ongoing evaluation (tests) may improve the grade in the exam. To do so, they should follow the current regulations.