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Presentation
Presentation
Biochemistry studies life at the molecular level, with particular emphasis on molecules such as water, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, DNA and RNA. It describes their structure, function and interactions with other molecules through a complex network of metabolic pathways essential for maintaining the homeostasis of organisms. Biochemistry is closely related to other UC's such as:
Physiology - allows correlating biochemical variations with physiological changes. Pathology - a biochemical change may be associated with a disease.
Nutrition - understands the need for nutrients, their metabolism and their function. Endocrinology - many diseases are caused by hormonal imbalances. The synthesis and effect of hormones are taught on biochemistry.
Pharmacology - understands how the body metabolizes drugs in biochemical reactions in the presence of enzymes.
The contents of UC Biochemistry I are taught in the context of Veterinary Medicine.
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Class from course
Class from course
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Degree | Semesters | ECTS
Degree | Semesters | ECTS
Bachelor; Master Degree | Semestral | 3
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Year | Nature | Language
Year | Nature | Language
1 | Mandatory | Português
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Code
Code
ULHT478-33
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Prerequisites and corequisites
Prerequisites and corequisites
Not applicable
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Professional Internship
Professional Internship
Não
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Syllabus
Syllabus
I. Introduction to Biochemistry: Water structure and properties; solutions and suspensions; buffers with physiological and experimental importance.
II. Biomolecules and molecular composition of tissues: carbohydrates; lipids; proteins.
III. Enzymology: structure and classification of enzymes, mechanisms of action and kinetics of enzymatic reactions.IV. Biological Membranes: structure and properties; transmembranar transport.
V. Bioenergetics: biochemical thermodynamics, entropy, enthalpy and free energy; endergonic and exergonic reactions.
VI. Introduction to Laboratory: Safety in the laboratory; nomenclature of the glassware and equipment.
VII. Unitary operations: weighing and measuring volumes; solution concentration units. Measurements and experimental errors. Significant digits.
VIII. Important Techniques in Biochemistry: pH potentiometry, spectrophotometry assay for protein quantification, separation of blood components, determination of enzyme kinetics parameters.
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Objectives
Objectives
1) To understand the biological reactions regulating acid-base balance and pH homeostasis.
2) To learn and identify the structure and function of biomolecules.
3) To learn the fundamentals of enzymology.
4) To learn the fundamentals about biological membranes¿ structure and membrane transport.
5) To learn the fundamentals of biochemistry thermodynamics and to understand its relation with the energetic processes that make possible cell life.
6) To learn the laboratory safety rules and good practices in order to have a proper attitude in the laboratory, properly manipulating materials, reagents and equipment.
7) To learn the fundamentals of methods to analyze biological samples and systems and to be able to use them properly. To understand the calculations and achieve skills for results interpretation, description and discussion.
8) To acquire skills in team work, bibliographic research, preparation of scientific manuscripts and results¿ communication.
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Teaching methodologies and assessment
Teaching methodologies and assessment
During classes, some active learning methodologies will be used, such as measuring knowledge acquired in previous classes through interactive questionnaires (mentimeter), carrying out continuous assessment through quizzes carried out in Moodle or Socrative at the end of the class.
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References
References
- Nelson, D.L.; Cox, M.M. (2021). Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. (8th ed.). New York: W. H. Freeman & Company . ISBN-13: 978-1319228002 / ISBN-10: 1319228003
- Berg, J.M., Tymoczko, J.L., Gatto, G.J. & Stryer, L. (2019). Biochemistry. (9ª ed). New York: W.H. Freeman. ISBN-13: 978-1319114671 / ISBN-10: 1319114679
- Quintas, A., Halpern, M.J. & Freire, A.P. (2008). Bioquímica: organização molecular da vida. Lisboa, Porto: Lidel. ISBN: 9789727574315
- Campos, L.S. (2008). Entender a Bioquímica (5ª ed.). Lisboa: Escolar Editora. ISBN: 9789725922316
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Office Hours
Office Hours
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Mobility
Mobility
No
