Biochemistry

Recommended Prerequisites

High School.

Teaching Methods

Formal lectures (T) and theoretic-pratical(TP) classes are used in this unit. In T the introduction to the syllabus topics are lectured and special attention paid to the key contents and to the relation with different topics. TP are organized aiming at the consolidation of the topics via discussion of questions, or of simulated pratical problems.

Learning Outcomes

This unit aims to provide fundamental knowledge on the structure, function and interaction of biological molecules. Starting with water, and proceeding with small molecules emphasis is given to the reactivity and role of functional groups. Then, structure and function of proteins in particular of enzymes is described. Crucial concepts in biochemistry like reversible binding, enzyme mechanism and kinetics, alasterism and cooperativity are discussed. The last two modules of this unit deal with the structure and function of most abundant carbohydrates and lipids in living organisms.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Biomolecules. general features of the structure and composition of biological molecules.

Water and buffers: structure and interactions of water with solutes. The concept and importance of buffers.

Proteins: structure and properties of aminoacids. Levels of protein struture. Purification and sequencing of proteins.

Structure and function of myoglobin and hemoglobin. Concepts of alasterism and cooperativity.

How enzymes work. Enzyme kinetics and enzyme regulation.

Carbohydrates: monosaccharides; homopolisaccharides, heteropolisaccharides and glicoconjugates.

Lipids: storage lipids, structural lipids and lipids with other functions.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Amália da Silva Jurado

Assessment Methods

Assessement
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Lehninger - Principles of Biochemistry (5º Ed.) D. Nelson and M. Cox;

Biochemistry (6º Ed.) J. Berg, J. Tymocyko and L. Stryer;

Bioquímica - Organi Molecular da Vida (2ª Ed.)

A. Quintas, A. Ponces e M. Halpern