Biochemistry
Code
10697
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Química
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
Maria Alice Santos Pereira
Weekly hours
4
Total hours
58
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
- Macromolecules - Fibrous and globular proteins.
- Methods of separation and characterization of proteins.
- Examples of correlation structure-function in proteins.
- Topics of enzymology.
- Biological membranes. Biological transport topics.
- Metabolism. General characteristics of metabolism. Bioenergetics. Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Fermentations. The tricarboxylic acid cycle. Mitochondrial electronic transfer and oxidative phosphorylation.
- Photosynthesis and photophosphorylation.
Laboratory sessions
- Quantification of protein by visible spectroscopy.
- Separation of proteins by column chromatography: separation of hemoglobin and potassium ferricyanide by molecular exclusion chromatography. Observation of different forms of hemoglobin.
- Separation of proteins by column chromatography: separation of the protein cytochrome c and catalase by ion-exchange chromatography.
- Characterization of β-glucosidase enzyme produced by the fungus Penicillium glandicola
- 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
The course is organized in lectures, laboratory classes and problem-solving (TP) classes.
The concepts developed in the lectures are applies to the analysis of the experimental results obtained in the laboratory and to problem solving in the TP classes. The preparation of the working sessions and laboratory classes is an important part of the work in autonomy by the student, but is subject toreview and correction by the teacher.
Evaluation method
Evaluation
The final evaluation is the result of a theoretical examination paper (80%) and a practical component (20%) that accounts for the laboratory work. The attendance to the laboratory classes is compulsory besides 70% of lectures (T and TP).