39131 - BIOCHEMISTRY

Subject type: Basic

Coordinator: Jordi Sarola Gassiot

Trimester: Third term

Credits: 6

• Catalan

Oral presentations in the classroom will be in Catalan.

The subject of biochemistry belongs to the basic subject and is a very important subject throughout the Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics because of its clinical and sports implications. 

A general introduction will be made to review concepts and then begin to review the main molecules: proteins, fatty acids, carbohydrates and all associated molecules. The aim is for the student to have a global and deep view of intermediate metabolism, its regulation and integration, as well as the specific processes involved in the biosynthesis of macromolecules. 

Block 1. Introduction to biochemistry. 

Topic 1. Bioelements. 

1.1. Macroelements, microelements and trace elements. 

1.2. Nutritional content of bioelements in food. 

Topic 2. Biomolecules. 

2.1. Levels of molecular organization. 

2.2. Main functional groups. 

2.3. Main chemical reactions. 

Block 2. Structure and function of amino acids and proteins 

Topic 3. Amino acids. 

3.1. Structure and nomenclature. 

3.2. Classification and properties. 

Unit 4. Peptides and proteins. 

4.1. Peptide bond: characteristics, torsion angles. 

4.2. Peptides, biological functions. 

4.3. Proteins: classification. 

4.4. Levels of organization of the protein structure. 

4.5. Protein dynamics: denaturation and folding. 

4.6. Protein separation techniques. 

Block 3. Enzymology. 

Topic 5. Enzymes. 

Block 4. Bioenergetics, biological oxidations and intermediary metabolism. 

Topic 6. Metabolism. 

6.1. Types of metabolism, bioenergetics, oxidation-reduction reactions. 

6.2. Energy-rich compounds: ATP. 

Unit 7. Citric acid cycle. 

7.1. Role of the cycle in metabolism. 

7.2. Cycle stages and their regulation. 

Unit 8. Electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. 

8.1. CTE complexes: function and CTE inhibitors. 

8.2. Oxidative phosphorylation: chemiosmotic theory and respiratory control. 

Block 5. Metabolism of carbohydrates. 

Topic 9. Structure of carbohydrates. 

Unit 10. Glycolysis. 

Item 11. Pentoses phosphate. 

Unit 12. Gluconeogenesis. 

Unit 13. Glycogen metabolism. 

Block 6. Metabolism of fatty acids. 

Topic 14. Structure of lipids. 

Topic 15. Lipolysis and oxidation of FA. 

Topic 16. Biosynthesis of GAs. 

Unit 17. Cholesterol metabolism. 

Unit 18. Biosynthesis of phospholipids and triacylglycerides. 

Block 7. Metabolism of nitrogenous biomolecules. 

Unit 19. Oxidation of amino acids. 

Unit 20. Biosynthesis of amino acids. 

Topic 21. Nucleotides. 

Block 8. Integration of metabolism. 

Topic 22. Food-fasting cycle (fasting). 

Seminars 

Seminars 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The evaluation system will be carried out according to the guidelines of the Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Teaching at Pompeu Fabra University. The results obtained for the student body will be expressed in numerical grades, in accordance with the scale provided for in Royal Decree 1125/2003, of September 5, for which the European system of credits and the system of qualifications in university degrees of an official nature and valid throughout the national territory:  

0,0 - 4,9: Suspension (SS) 

5,0 - 6,9: Approved (AP) 

7,0 - 8,9: Notable (NT) 

9,0 - 10: Excellent (SB) 

According to the Academic Regulations for degrees, there will only be one official call that will cover two different evaluation periods: 

1. Ordinary period, which takes place in an integrated way in the training process and during the teaching period. 

2. Extraordinary period, in which the student can be assessed again for tasks, activities or tests that have not been passed satisfactorily within the framework of the first period. 

ordinary period 

Evaluation of the face-to-face modality: 

Evaluation of the virtual modality: 

Extraordinary assessment period 

Requirements to pass the continuous assessment (AC):  

- Mandatory minimum achievement in the subject and seminars of 75%, absences due to illness or injury are included.  

- If the continuous assessment is not passed due to non-compliance with any of the necessary requirements described above, the student will fail the subject.  

Recovery: Within the same course, there is the possibility of recovering skills not achieved during the subject. In accordance with current regulations, in the evaluation activity of the exam, you can only choose to retake the subject, if it has been suspended. In the case of those who did not present, it will not be possible to opt for recovery. 

Assignments: All assignments must be submitted through the Virtual Classroom on the date indicated. No late work will be accepted. The seminars will be mandatory (75% minimum attendance). The average grade obtained in the continuous assessment will be averaged with the final exam grade. To pass the final exam it will be necessary. Total or partial copying in any of the learning activities will mean a "Not Presented" in the subject, without the option to take the make-up test and without prejudice to the opening of a file for this reason. Therefore, plagiarism or copying someone else's work will be penalized according to the Regulations on the rights and duties of students of Pompeu Fabra University. The University will be informed and a serious offense will be placed on the file.  

To facilitate the appropriate citation of texts and materials it is necessary to consult the orientations and guidelines for academic citation available at the website of the Library. 

Lehninger, Albert. (2006). Principles of biochemistry. Omega. Barcelona 

Stryer, Lubert. (2013). biochemistry reverted Barcelona 

Karp, Gerald. (2011). Cellular and molecular biology. McGraw-Hill/Interamericana. Madrid  

Devlin, Thomas M. (2004). biochemistry Textbook with clinical applications. reverted Barcelona 

Feduchi, Elena (2011). biochemistry essential concepts Pan American medicine. Madrid