.- Biochemistry
PROF. MARCO TREVISAN
COURSE AIMS
Students will acquire a theoretical grounding in the principal biochemical processes, both catabolic and energetic, of
higher organisms. Special emphasis will be placed on the biochemical aspects related to nutrition.
COURSE CONTENT
CFU
Biochemical transformations
Introduction to the course. Fundamentals of biochemistry. Overview of biology,
chemistry, physics and genetics.
Enzymatic catalysis; reactions catalyzed by enzymes: thermodynamics, kinetics and
regulation at the substrate level and biosynthesis.
Integration of metabolic networks (metabolic compartmentalization; role of ATP,
NAD(P)H, concept of cycle and metabolic pathway).
Biological membranes and solute transport: thermodynamics, kinetics and
specificity of transport.
Communication within the organism. Metabolism.
1
Carbohydrate metabolism
Carbohydrates: overview, classification, properties (principal monosaccharides,
polysaccharides, plant cell wall). Glycolysis and its regulation. Aerobic and
anaerobic conversion of pyruvate. Pentose phosphate pathway. Krebs cycle.
Mitochondrial electron transfer and oxidative phosphorylation and coupling.
1
Carbohydrate metabolism
Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates; glycaemia. Gluconeogenesis. Overview
of photosynthesis CO2 fixation, Calvin cycle
Nitrogen metabolism
0.5
Amino acids: overview, classification, properties. Proteins. Structure and function
of proteins. Digestion and absorption of proteins. Metabolism of amino acids.
Catabolism of amino acides, urea cycle. Energy metabolism. Cori cycle. Glucosealanine cycle.
1.5
Lipid metabolism
Lipids: overview, classification, properties. Complex lipids. Digestion and
absorption and utilization of lipids. Ketone bodies. Catabolism and biosynthesis of
fatty acids. Regulation of lipid metabolism. Metabolism of cholesterol,
phospholipids and glycolipids. Plasma lipoproteins.
1
Gene information and expression
Biosynthesis and catabolism of nitrogenous bases. Nucleotides. Structure of DNA
and variability of gene information. Replication and transcription of DNA. The
genetic code. Characteristics and functions of RNA. Translation of mRNA.
Polypeptide synthesis.
1
Esercitazioni
2
READING LIST
NELSON D.L., COX M.M. Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger. 4° edizione, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2011
TYMOCZKO J.L, BERG J.M., STRYER L. Principi di Biochimica, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2010.
CAMPBELL M.K., FARRELL S.O. Biochimica, terza edizione. Edises, Napoli, 2009.
BERG J.M., TYMOCZKO J.L., STRYER L. Biochimica, sesta edizione. Zanichelli, Bologna, 2008.
VOET D., VOET J.G., PRATT C.W. Fondamenti di biochimica, seconda edizione. Zanichelli, Bologna, 2007.
L.SCARPONI (COORDINATORE) Biochimica Agraria
- Pàtron Editore, Bologna, 2003.
TEACHING METHOD
Lectures, tutorials in the laboratory and classroom, for a total of 2 credits.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
There will be written and oral examinations.
NOTES
Attendance at the classroom and laboratory tutorials is strongly recommended.
STUDENT RECEPTION HOURS
Prof. Trevisan is available to meet with students after class in his office at the Institute of Agricultural Environmental
Chemistry.