OVERVIEW

Biochemistry studies the chemistry of living things and is necessary for understanding the molecular events underlying human physiology and pathology. Clinical biochemistry is the discipline that studies the meaning and clinical use of laboratory tests, which represent a fundamental part of the medical-diagnostic procedure. In the part of this integrated course dedicated to clinical biochemistry the student will be given basic notions about laboratory tests mainly used in medicine.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of teaching biochemistry is to provide the fundamental knowledge to understand the relationships between the structures of the molecules and their functions in the human organism. To transmit to the student the knowledge of the metabolic pathways through which biological matter is transformed, locating the sites of the reactions in the cell, tissues and organs.

To contribute to the training of professionals able to use the knowledge of biochemistry to identify and understand some important metabolic processes that regulate the physiology and pathophysiology of the oral cavity.

The aim of teaching clinical biochemistry is to provide the student with basic information about the laboratory parameters of the "clinical-chemical profile" and the main laboratory tests that explore the organ/apparatus function. The course will provide the student with knowledge about the clinical significance of the tests, the unit of measurement and the dynamic range of the parameters in certain pathological situations. The laboratory tests will be framed in simple clinical contexts (mini clinical cases) to exercise the student's ability to use the information provided to complete a diagnostic reasoning. At the end of the course, the student will be able to recognize abnormal values, hypothesize pathological situations that could be the cause and propose other laboratory tests for further diagnostic investigation.

PREREQUISITES

Students must have acquired the basic knowledge of inorganic, and organic chemistry. Furthermore, they must know the structure and function of the main energetic biomolecules.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ELENA ZOCCHI

MONICA AVERNA (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral (biochemistry) and written (clinical biochemistry) exam

Please refer to the specific AulaWeb application for any updates due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

BIOCHEMISTRY: Oral examination with assessment of knowledge and ability to link between the various topics in the program. To establish the degree of competence acquired by the students, with respect to the program of this teaching, the commission will positively evaluate the ability to analyze and integrate different aspects of the proposed question and the use of an appropriate vocabulary.

CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY: The questions will explore the student's knowledge of the main laboratory tests of the "clinical chemistry profile", both in terms of normal and dynamic range during organ or tissue diseases dealt with during the course. Some questions will evaluate the student's ability to conduct a diagnostic reasoning based on laboratory test results.

Exam schedule