The course consist of two modules: Propedeutical Biochemistry and Biochemistry, and is divided into two parts: a part of lessons in presence and one part, as support of the first, consisting of online classes.

The first part of the course aims to provide the basis of general and organic chemistry to address Biochemistry,  the second part of the course. The aim of this second part is both the acquisition of knowledge about the structure and function of proteins and enzymes proteins as the main pathways of carbohydrate, fat, and protein catabolism.

The course is done in blended. The lectures in presence are supported / supplemented by lectures recorded that the students can access online through the platform AulaWeb

PROPEDEUTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY solutions. Properties and  units of measure: molarity, normality,% w / w% w / v. osmotic pressure. The chemical reactions. chemical balance. chemical kinetics. Reaction speed. Catalysis and enzymatic catalysis, Km. Thermodynamics. Concepts of enthalpy and entropy. Spontaneity of reactions, free energy. Ionization of water. pH. Acidity and alkalinity. Strong and weak acids and bases,  hydrolysis, buffers. The chemistry of carbon, the carbon valence. The functional groups. Alcohols and thiols. Redox reactions. Oxidation of alcohols and thiols. Aldehydes and ketones. Hemiacetals. Amines. Carboxylic acid. Amides, esters and anhydrides. Fatty acids. Triglycerides. Phospholipids. Biomolecules and their functional groups. Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides: glucose, fructose, ribose and deoxyribose, disaccharides: sucrose, and polysaccharides, cellulose, glycogen. Amino acids. Peptides and proteins. The peptide bond. protein structure.

Biochemistry Myoglobin.  Hemoglobin. Enzymes: structure and function. Catabolism and anabolism: general concepts of the intermediate metabolism. Glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and glucose:  regulation. Lactate cycle. Krebs cycle. Strategies for ATP synthesis. Synthesis and degradation of glycogen. Oxidation of fatty acids. Chetonic bodies. Amino acids catabolism: urea cycle.

Catani, Savini, Guerrieri, Avigliano “Appunti di Biochimica per le lauree triennali” Editore: Piccin
Stefani, Taddei “Chimica biochimica e biologia applicata” Editore: Zanichelli