BIOCHEMISTRY

The course aims to describe the main characteristics of the macromolecules of biological interest (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids) and to provide knowledge on the main metabolic pathways.

Frontal teaching, exercises and cooperative learning.

1) Composition and structure of biological membranes

2) Nucleic acids: structures and functions.

3) Amino Acids and Proteins: Structures, Properties, Functions.

4) Enzymes: definition, distribution, nomenclature, mechanism of action, specificity, affinity, isoenzymes. Enzymatic kinetics. Enzymatic regulation.

5) Carbohydrates: definition, functions, nomenclature.

6) Lipids: definition, functions, nomenclature.

7) Cellular communication: receptor classification, molecular mechanism of action of hormones, signal transduction molecules, second messengers, signal translation pathways.

8) Apoptosis and necrosis.

9) Catabolism and Anabolism.

10) Glycolic metabolism: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, pentose pathway, gluconeogenesis, glycogenosynthesis, glycogenolysis.

11) Lipid metabolism: de novo biosynthesis of fatty acids, β-oxidation.

12) Protein and nucleotide metabolism: protein synthesis, metabolic fate of nitrogen, nucleotide biosynthesis.

13) The respiratory chain and its components.

14) Free radicals and defense mechanisms

RECOMMENDED TEXTS

1) Nelson D.L. e Michael M. Cox M.M. I Principi Di Biochimica di Lehninger, Ed. Zanichelli.

2) Voet D., Voet J.C. e Pratt C.W. Fondamenti di Biochimica, Ed. Zanichelli.

3) Siliprandi N. e Tettamanti G. Biochimica Medica, Ed. Piccin

http://studium.unict.it/dokeos/2018/