Structure of Biomolecules and Metabolism
1
2018-2019
02011479
Chemistry
Portuguese
English
Face-to-face
SEMESTRIAL
6.0
Compulsory
2nd Cycle Studies - Mestrado
Recommended Prerequisites
General Chemistry I and II, Physical Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry
Teaching Methods
- Interactive lectures given by the teacher(s).
- Seminars, prepared individually by each student in English or Portuguese, appropriately commented by the teacher; followed by session of Q&A opened to all students and discussion of questions posed by the teacher.
Learning Outcomes
Since this course is designed for the Masters in Forensic Chemistry, it is necessary the students acquire specific skills in two major areas:
- Fundamental knowledge for the understanding of the methods and techniques in biological chemistry essential for forensic investigation;
- Understanding of the functioning of biological systems at the molecular level, in particular Man, with particular emphasis on metabolic aspects.
The second part of the course will have a major component of discussion, problem solving, and presentation by the students of specific cases and situations of biological systems response to situations of stress and aggression (e.g. poisoning).
Work Placement(s)
NoSyllabus
A. Fundamental concepts in structural Biological Chemistry
1. Nucleic Acids
2. Amino Acids and Proteins
3. Enzymes
4. Restriction enzymes, DNA sequencing and DNA fingerprinting
B. Fundamental concepts in Metabolism
5. Overview of metabolism
5.1 Anabolism and catabolism
5.2 Production and consumption of energy
5.3 Metabolic pathways major and minor
6. Central Metabolism - an example in detail
7. Control of Metabolism
7.1 Main points of allosteric control
7.2 Hormonal control
C. Case discussions and practical situations of biological systems in functional stress (starvation, poisoning, etc.)
Head Lecturer(s)
Rui Manuel Pontes Meireles Ferreira de Brito
Assessment Methods
Continuous assessment
Synthesis work: 50.0%
Exam: 50.0%
Bibliography
Dada a abrangência dos tópicos a abordar, é aconselhado o uso de um bom livro base de referência, por exemplo:
1. Biochemistry
Donald Voet and Judith Voet
4th Edition, January 2011, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
2. Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level
Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt
ISBN: 978-1-118-91846-3
5th Edition, February 2016, Wiley
Adicionalmente, e dadas as caracterísitcas da disciplina, principalmente para preparar e resolver os casos propostos, os alunos terão de consultar fontes bibliográficas diversificadas: livros, artigos científicos, portais da internet e outros