Biochemistry is one of the basic subjects of the first year of three Degrees: (i) Degree in Pharmacy, (ii) Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, and (iii) Double Degree in Pharmacy and Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Studying biochemistry, students acquire a basic knowledge of the structure and functions of the molecules that form living organisms. At the same time, students develop a general and integrated vision of cellular metabolism from the point of view of bioenergetics. To this end, the main metabolic pathways, both degradative and biosynthetic, are described. The course also includes an experimental section, which will contribute to the familiarization of the students with the different basic techniques in biochemistry.

It is, therefore, a subject that lays the foundations of biochemistry on which many of the subsequent subjects of the degree will be based and deepen, such as Molecular Biology, Clinical Biochemistry or Pharmacology, in the Degree in Pharmacy and in the Double Degree, and Gene Expression and Metabolic Control and Human Nutrition, for example, in the Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

On the other hand, in order to make good progress in this subject, it is required a basic knowledge of concepts of Cell and Tissue Biology, General and Inorganic Chemistry/General Chemistry and Physicochemistry/Physics, and Mathematics and Statistics, subjects that are taught in the first quarter of the first year and that help a better understanding of Biochemistry.

Competencies:

- To identify the structure, know the properties and biochemical function of biomolecules.

- To understand the chemical processes by which the organism obtains metabolic energy from nutrients, as well as those that consume that energy in the synthesis of essential components.

- To understand the basic principles of enzymology, distinguishing the effects of the different types of factors that modulate enzymatic activity (inhibitors, allosterism) and their application in health sciences.

- To know and interpret the metabolic changes that occur under different nutritional and physical conditions of a healthy organism.

- To be able to understand and evaluate the impact of biochemical problems, and to know how to predict the effect of a metabolic change (defect) on human health.

- To perform biochemical analyses and interpret the results; in order to establish the basis for understanding clinical analyses.



Learning outcomes:

- Differentiates proteinogenic amino acids from other amino acids.

- Knows the properties of the peptide bond.

- Differentiates distinct structural levels of a protein.

- Differentiates enzymes from other catalysts.

- Understands Michaelis-Menten kinetics.

- Calculates the activity of Michaelis enzymes.

- Knows the different metabolic pathways and their interconnections.

- Is able to understand the general mechanisms of regulation of metabolic pathways.

TOPIC 1.- Biomolecules: Introduction to biological molecules.

TOPIC 2.- Amino acids, peptides and proteins.

2.1. Amino acids: General chemical-biological characteristics. Types.

2.2. Peptides: The peptide bond. Characteristics of the peptide chain. Protein conformation.

2.3. Primary structure of proteins.

TOPIC 3.- Three-dimensional structure of proteins.

3.1. Secondary structure. Alpha helix, beta-sheet, beta-turn. Fibrous and globular proteins.

3.2. Tertiary structure. Stabilizing forces. Denaturation.

3.3. Quaternary structure.

TOPIC 4.- Enzymes

4.1. Enzymes as biological catalysts: Activation energy. Models of enzymatic catalysis. Active center: substrate and reaction specificity.

4.2. Nomenclature and classification of enzymes. Coenzymes and prosthetic groups.

TOPIC 5.- Enzyme kinetics.

5.1. General concepts: Speed of enzymatic reactions. Factors that modify the enzymatic activity: pH, temperature and inhibitors.

5.2. Michaelian kinetics: Michaelis-Menten equation. Meaning of the kinetic constants. Graphical representations. Determination of Vmax and Km. Lineweaver-Burk transformation. Effect of inhibitors.

5.3. Regulatory enzymes: Generalities. Allosteric enzymes: concept and characteristics. Regulation by covalent modification.

TOPIC 6.- Bioenergetics and metabolism.

6.1. Introduction to intermediary metabolism: Concept of metabolic pathway. Anabolism and catabolism. Regulation of metabolism.

6.2. Energetics of metabolism: Bioenergetics. Coupled reactions. Energy-rich compounds. Irreversible reactions. ATP and phosphoryl group transfer.

6.3. Biological oxidation-reduction reactions: Redox reactions in metabolism. Coenzymes of redox reactions.

TOPIC 7.- Carbohydrates: Description, classification, carbohydrates of metabolic interest.

TOPIC 8.- Carbohydrate catabolism.

8.1 Glycolysis: General concepts of carbohydrate metabolism. Glycolysis: Sequence of reactions and balance.

8.2. Fates of pyruvate under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Regulation.

8.3. Glycogenolysis.

TOPIC 9.- Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.

9.1. Krebs cycle: Sequence of reactions, energy balance and functions.

9.2. Respiratory chain: Location, components, reactions and control. Variation of free energy in the respiratory chain.

9.3. ATP synthesis: Mitchell's chemiosmotic theory. ATP synthase. Mechanism. Respiratory control.

9.4. Energy balance of total glucose oxidation.



TOPIC 10.- Carbohydrate Anabolism

10.1. Gluconeogenesis: Stages and balance from pyruvate. Other substrates of the pathway. Cori's cycle. Coordinated regulation of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis.

10.2. Glycogenogenesis. Allosteric and hormonal regulation of glycogen metabolism.

TOPIC 11.- Lipids: Concept of lipids, classification and biological interest.

TOPIC 12.- Lipid catabolism.

12.1. Mobilization of triglycerides from adipose tissue. Activation and transport of fatty acids from the cytoplasm to the mitochondrial matrix.

12.2. Beta-oxidation of saturated fatty acids. Energy balance. Oxidation of fatty acids of odd number of carbon atoms and unsaturated fatty acids.

12.3. Ketone bodies: Biosynthesis and utilization of ketone bodies. Function of ketone bodies. Ketosis.

TOPIC 13.- Lipid anabolism

13.1. De novo synthesis of fatty acids: Formation of malonyl-CoA. Fatty acid synthase complex. Reactions and balance of palmitic acid synthesis. Elongation and unsaturation of fatty acids.

13.2. Cholesterol biosynthesis.

LECTURES: 45 hours

Theoretical concepts and practical exercises (problems, questions, tests, etc.) will be worked on.



BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY: 3 sessions of 4 hours

1.- Preparation of an extract and determination of an enzyme activity.

2.- Determination of the Vmax and Km of the extracted enzyme.

3.- Chromatographic separation of lipids.



COMPUTER PRACTICES: 1 session of 3 hours

1.- Calculation of the kinetic parameters of an enzyme by iterative fitting using specific software. The data obtained in the laboratory will be fitted to curves and straight lines whose constants coincide with these parameters. Exercises and proposed problems will be carried out.



NON-PERSONAL ACTIVITY: 90 hours

- Consultation of texts, elaboration of diagrams and study.

- Solving problems and exercises in class.

- Use of the e-learning platform (eGela) to obtain the information provided by the teaching staff (scripts and groups of practices, videos/ showings, etc.) and to answer the tests and questions posed through this platform.

- Use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to view animations and additional didactic material.

NOTE: If face-to-face teaching is suspended, the teaching methodology of the different modalities will be carried out on-line, using the resources and digital platforms provided by the UPV/EHU.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Multiple-Choice Test (%): 60
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 20
  • Individual works (%): 10
  • Team projects (problem solving, project design)) (%): 10

The final exam consists of a theoretical and a practical part. The theoretical part will account for 60% of the final grade of the course. The practical part will account for 20% of the final grade. To pass the course it is necessary to pass both parts separately. The remaining 20% of the grade is obtained through continuous assessment, through questions and exercises that the teacher will pose in class or on the eGela platform during the course. The realization of laboratory practices is mandatory. During the development of the practices, the attitude and skills in the laboratory work will be graded, as well as the students' capacity of expression and teamwork.



In any case, students will have the right to be evaluated through the final evaluation system, regardless of whether or not they have participated in the continuous evaluation system. To do so, students must submit in writing to the teacher responsible for the subject the waiver of continuous assessment, for which they will have a period of 9 weeks from the beginning of the course.

Both in the case of continuous assessment and in the case of final assessment, failure to attend the test set on the official exam date will mean the automatic waiver of the call, and will result in the qualification of not presented.



NOTE: In the event that the evaluation cannot be carried out in person, the tests will be taken on-line using the digital tools and platforms offered by the UPV/EHU.

Students who pass any of the parts in the ordinary exam will not have to repeat it in the extraordinary exam, i.e., they will only have to take the exam of the failed part.

- Computer connected to the Internet (available in the computer rooms)
- Textbooks (available in the library)
- Lab coat
- Practice scripts and graph paper (or computer)

Basic bibliography

1.-"Lehninger. Principles of biochemistry", D.L. Nelson and M.M. Cox, 8th edition. 2021.

2.-"Biochemistry. Essential Concepts.", E. Feduchi et al. 2nd edition, 2014.

3.-"Biochemistry. Basic course.", J.L.Tymoczco , L. Stryer, J.M. Berg and, 2nd edition, 2014.

4.-"Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level", D. Voet, J.G. Voet and C.W. Pratt, 4th edition, 2016.

In-depth bibliography

1.-"Metabolic Regulation: A human prespective" K. N. Frayn, 3rd edition, 2019

Journals

http://www.nature.com/nature/index.htlm
http://www.science.com/science/index.htlm
http://www.ehu.eus/ojs/index.php/ekaia

Web addresses

http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0072507470/student_view0/index.html
https://www.sebbm.es/web/en/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/biochemistry/
https://www.rcsb.org/


http://www.ehu.es/biomoleculas
http://www.biorom.uma.es/