OVERVIEW

Biochemistry, that is the study of chemical reactions that govern the life of organisms, is also the basis of the motor activities of the human individual, from birth to maturity at all levels. The course aims to provide the student with the appropriate knowledge and skills in the area of molecules of biological importance, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleotides. Furthermore, the metabolic pathways of catabolism and anabolism will be examined in detail in order to provide the student with a global view of intermediate metabolism and molecular mechanisms responsible for energy production by living organisms. In addition to generalities on biochemical reactions, the course will highlight the correlations between the supply of nutrients to the body and the production and transformation of energy and metabolic correlations between organs with a focused study on the muscular skeletal and cardiac systems.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching of Biochemistry deepens in the light of the propaedeutic knowledge acquired in the first semester, the main topics of Biochemistry correlating the contents to the educational objectives of the student of motor sciences.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching of Biochemistry deepens the knowledge acquired in the Biochemistry propaedeutic exam of the first semester and the main topics of Biochemistry, correlating the contents to the educational objectives of the student of motor sciences. The course aims to provide students with the fundamentals of Biochemistry, starting from the structure-function of biomolecules to the basic concepts of metabolism. The objectives of the course are to understand the molecular basis of biological systems, the biochemical mechanisms that regulate cellular metabolic activities through knowledge of the structure, properties, function, interactions and metabolism of biomolecules; production and conservation of metabolic energy.

The main purposes are:
1. To provide theoretical skills and notions related to the knowledge and role of biological macromolecules in biochemical processes, to identify the functional groups of biomolecules starting from the simplest components (monosaccharides, amino acids, nucleotides) to examples of the organization of complex molecular systems
2. Provide key concepts regarding oxygen transport and enzyme catalysis and its regulation
3. Provide the key concepts on basic metabolic functions and their regulation in the fasting and nutrition phases.
4. Provide key concepts on the conservation of metabolic reserves, anabolic pathways and their correlation with in weight control
5. Provide the key concepts of skeletal and cardiac muscle metabolism. Give an overview of integration of metabolism and its changes in the fasting-feeding cycle and during sports activity.

PREREQUISITES

Good knowledge of general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and cell biology. The student must have passed the Cell Biology and Biochemical Propaedeutics exam.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will be taught with lectures and discussions with students to test the correlation between metabolic activities and an individual's daily activities. These discussions will focus on the correlations between metabolic pathways, the regulation of metabolism during fasting and during nutrition, and the major metabolic pathways involved in motor activities and during intense muscular exercise.

In case of certification of specific learning disability, disability or other special educational needs, please contact both the Department contact person, Prof. Nicola Girtler, and the lecturer at the beginning of the lectures to agree on teaching and exam methods which, in compliance of the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory/dispensatory tools recognized by the University SLD Student Service.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is divided into five distinct phases:

In the first phase, chemical reactions are characterized according to their biochemical relevance. The identification of nutrients is another aspect of this phase that will allow the evaluation of the availability of these molecules and their energy content.

In the second phase, the role of oxygen in living organisms and particularly in humans will be considered. We study the role of hemoglobin in the transport of oxygen from the lungs to tissues, the regulation on the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen by pH and 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate, and in the elimination of carbon dioxide. We also study enzymes, their function and regulation.

In the third phase, the utilization of the various nutrients for the production of energy forms useful to the tissues of our body is analyzed. The organization of these transformations into metabolic pathways and their intertwining will be one of the key aspects of this phase. The interconversion of energy forms according to the purposes of cells and the coordinated regulation of these metabolisms will conclude the phase.

In the fourth phase, the storage systems of nutrients recovered in excess will be analyzed. The various anabolic metabolisms will also be considered in relation to body weight control, one of the relevant aspects of motor activity at all levels.

In the fifth phase, the biochemistry of skeletal and cardiac muscle is examined, focusing on the most important and unique metabolic pathways of these tissues. In addition, the integration of activities between organs during different nutritional states and during motor activity is studied.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All powerpoints projected in class, videos and wooclaps are available on AulaWeb.
The student can purchase a basic biochemistry book from among several available.
Recommended:

"Chimica e biochimica per le Scienze Motorie" Bertoldi M. et al Editor: Edises

or

“Le basi della biochimica” Abali E. et al. Editor: Zanichelli

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LAURA STURLA (President)

LAURA BONZANO

ENRICO MILLO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

II semester at the Savona Campus. Classes (three-hour modules) will be held twice a week from March to May. Please note that class attendance is mandatory and essential for passing the exam.

Class schedule

BIOCHEMISTRY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Discussions with students and in-progress tests based on single-choice wooclap quizzes.

Exam schedule