Fundamentals of Biochemistry
Code
2696
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Química
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
José Luís Capelo Martinez
Weekly hours
4
Total hours
57
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
At the end of the semester the student should readily:
Describe the constitution and structure of proteins. Distinguish globular from fibrous proteins. Know several examples of protein structure-function correlation, including the mechanism of some enzimatic reactions. Know experimental methods for isolating and characterizing proteins. Understand the main concepts on enzyme catalysis and regulation. Interpret enzyme kinetic data and calculate kinetic parameters according to the Michaelis-Menten model. Carry out simple enzyme assays.
Name and describe the constitution, the structure and the function of common carbohydrates.
Name and describe the constitution and strucures of DNA and RNA. Describe the functioning and the regulation of the replication, transcription and translation steps. Know the basic procedures of recombinant DNA techniques.
Describe the constitution, structure and properties of biological membranes and the characteristics of the fluid mosaic model. Know the molecular systems associated to biological transport.
Understand the central role of the pair ATP/ADP and of other nucleotides in metabolism. Be familiar with the basic concepts of bioenergetics. Perform quantitative calculations in bioenergetics. Describe the main metabolic pathways in the cell and their regulation, with emphasis on the central metabolic pathway and on photosynthesis. Understand the difference between substrate-level phosphorylation and phosphorylation linked to electron-transfer processes.
Be competent using materials and equipments commonly found in a biochemical lab, as well as acquiring, treating, presenting and discussing experimental results.
Prerequisites
No preceding subjects demanded. Previous attendance of classes on Introductory General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry would be an advantage.
Subject matter
Contents of lectures:
Macomolecules: Proteins. Methods for protein separation and characterization. Examples of structure-function correlation in proteins. Introductory enzymology. Nucleic acids. Storage and transmission of genetic information. Topics on genetic engineering. Carbohydrate structure and glycobiology. Lipids. Biological membranes and transport.
Principles of metabolism. Bioenergetics. Glycolysis and fermentations. The TCA cycle. Cellular respiration: electron transfer and oxidative phosphorylation. Photosynthesys and photophosphorylation
Practical laboratory work:
Colorimetric determination of protein concentration. Separation of proteins by column cromatography. Assessmernt of the activity of the enzyme lactase. Determination of the mid-point redox potential of cytochrome c
Bibliography
Livro a seguir:
Entender a Bioquímcia. Luis S. Campos. 5ª Edição. Escolar Editora.
Bibliografia adicional:
Principles of Biochemistry. Moran, Hortonm, Scrimgeour, Perry. Pearson Editora.
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, 3rd ed. 2008
BIOCHEMISTRY
Lubert Stryer
W. H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco. 6th Ed. 2007.
Teaching method
The course is organized in lectures, laboratory classes and workshops. The students must apply the concepts developed in the lectures to the analysis of the experimental results obtained in the laboratory and to problem solving in the workshops.
Evaluation method
The final evaluation is the result of a theoretical examination paper (75%) and a practical component (25%) that accounts for the laboratory work. The attendance to the laboratory classes is compulsory besides 70% of lectures (T and TP).