Biomolecules

Presentation

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.

Part of this Programme

Biology

Level of Qualification|Semesters|ECTS

| Semestral | 5,5

Year | Type of course unit | Language

1 |Mandatory |Português

Code

ULHT101-16551

Recommended complementary curricular units

None.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

n/a

Professional Internship

Não

Syllabus

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.).

Objectives

Knowledge and understanding of the structure and properties of the main classes of biomolecules (glicids, lipids, aminoacids and proteins, nucleic acids) and of their interactions with the solvent water. Abilities in basic methodology in the area of Biochemistry (preparation of reagent solutions, colorimetry, liquid chromatography, solid phase chromatography, calibration, spectrophotometry, extraction and purification of biomolecules, electrophoresis, enzyme kinetics, database mining).

Teaching methodologies and assessment

Presential teaching with theoretical and laboratory classes: Theoretical classes are lectures of facultative attendance that follow the defined syllabus. Laboratory classes are mandatory classes under the guidance and orientation of a teacher and are intended to practice the most frequent techniques.

Requirements to pass:

1) Continuous evaluation:

-Attendance at 2/3 of laboratory classes.

-Laboratory classification > or = 9,5 (continuous evaluation of student's work, 50% final classification).

-2 mid-term examinations, average with a 50% weight (classification > or = 9,5).

2) Final examination:

- Examination with 2 components: practical (50%) and theoretical (50%).

- Classification > or = 9,5 for each component.

- Students with a classification > or = 9,5 obtained for any element of a previous evaluation (continuous evaluation or previous examination) are exempted from repeating it.

References

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.

Office Hours