Class Biomolecules

The CU of Biomolecules aims to define the concept of biochemical reaction, to present the different actors of Biochemistry, water and biomolecules, to the students, and to introduce the main biochemical functions, like enzyme mechanisms, bioenergetics, biological information. By the end of this CU the students should master perfectly these fundamentals that will allow the transition to the CU of Metabolism and Bioenergetics.

1. Introduction to Biochemistry (1.1. Biochemistry and its objectives. 1.2. Origin of Life. 1.3. The cell ¿ fundamental unit of biochemical processes.).

2. Water (2.1. Properties of water. 2.2. Acids, bases and buffers.).

3. Aminoacids and proteins (3.1. Aminoacids. 3.2. The peptide bond. 3.3. Structure levels of proteins. 3.4. Active centers and regulation centers. 3.5. Myoglobin and hemoglobin. 3.6. Enzymes.).

4. Lipids (4.1. Definition and classification of lipids. 4.2. Biological membranes.).

5. Glicids (5.1. Definition and vocabulary. 5.2. Classification.).

6. Introduction to Bioenergetics (6.1. The principles of thermodynamics. 6.2. Gibbs free energy. 6.3. ATP ¿ production and hydrolysis.).

7. Biological information (7.1. Composition and primary structure of nucleic acids. 7.2. 3D structure of DNA. 7.3. 3D structure of various RNAs.).

Laboratory and practical training is a very important component of the Cycle of Studies, essential to ensure the quality of student training. The practical skills and laboratory autonomy of graduate students are recognized by the other institutions where they continue their studies.

Voet, D. & Voet, J.G. (2010). Biochemistry. 4^th Ed. John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Stryer, L. (1995). Biochemistry. 4th Ed. Freeman and Company, New York.

Weil, J.H. (2000). Bioquímica Geral. 2ª Ed. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisboa.