Knowledge and Understanding: The student must acquire basic knowledge of the major metabolic processes, the molecular structure of the major organic molecules, the function of the major classes of biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, sugars and lipids) and the complex interrelationships between metabolic pathways (catabolic and biosynthetic).
Applied knowledge and understanding: The student must be able to grasp the relationships between macromolecular structures and their function, describe the relationship between the different metabolic pathways within a cell, organ or tissue, the processes and mechanisms by which these metabolic pathways are regulated and how changes in these processes can be linked to pathological dysfunction of a cell and organism.
Making judgements: The student must be able to critically discuss the different aspects of metabolic pathways and their correlation with pathological dysfunction.
Communication skills: ability to use scientific vocabulary appropriate to the subject.
Learning skills: The student must demonstrate that he/she has tackled the systematic study of biochemistry independently and profitably and that he/she is able to transfer the theoretical concepts learnt to real application situations.

Basic knowledge of General and Organic Chemistry

1) Description of the most important macromolecules of biological interest
2) Structure and function of haemoglobin and myoglobin
3) Enzymes as biological catalysts
4) Introduction to metabolism
5) Glucose metabolism
6) Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation
7) Glycogen metabolism
8) Metabolism of lipids
9) Metabolism of amino acids

1) Berg, Tymoczko, Gatto, Stryer – Biochimica
https://www.zanichelli.it/ricerca/prodotti/biochimica-001?qid=9788808520289

2) Denise R Ferrier
https://www.zanichelli.it/ricerca/prodotti/le-basi-della-biochimica-ferrier?hl=biochimica

1) Description of the most important macromolecules of biological interest: Sugar, definition of monosaccharide; nomenclature; stereoisomerism; examples of monosaccharides of biochemical utility; the glycosidic bond; examples of disaccharides; references to oligosaccharides; polysaccharides of biochemical utility. Definition of amino acid; nomenclature; acid-base properties; classification of amino acids; the peptide bond and its characteristics. Purine and pyrimidine bases, their properties; definition of nucleoside and nucleotide; definition of nucleic acid; DNA, its structure and properties; the RNA. Lipids and their classification.
2) Structure and function of haemoglobin and myoglobin: the haem group; catabolism of the haem group; cooperative linkage and biological significance; transition between the T and R states; definition of the concerted and sequential models; carbon monoxide and binding to the haem group; allosteric effectors; diseases associated with haemoglobin defects; new forms of globins.
3) Enzymes as biological catalysts: biological significance; specificity; definition of cofactor; free energy and enzyme function; the transition state; enzyme-substrate complex; notes on enzymatic kinetics; definition of the Michaelis-Menten equation; biochemical significance of catalytic constants and maximum reaction rate; allosteric enzymes; inhibition of enzyme activity; catalytic and regulatory strategies; enzymes of diagnostic interest.
4) Introduction to metabolism: definition of metabolic, catabolic, anabolic and amphibolic pathways; ATP as an energy currency; activated transporters in biochemistry; definition of oxidation.
5) Glucose metabolism: glycolysis and its phases; net energy balance; alcoholic/lactic fermentation; NAD + utilisation pathways; regulation; glucose transporters; gluconeogenesis and its phases; regulation of gluconeogenesis; the Cori cycle.
6) Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation: the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and its steps; the Krebs cycle, its phases and regulation; definition of the respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation, its mechanism; definition of the proton gradient and ATP production; ATP yield; translocase ATP-ADP shuttle system; thermogenin and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation.
7) Glycogen metabolism: biological role of glycogen; role of glycogen phosphorylase in glycogen degradation, its regulation and anatomical localisation; glycogen remodelling; hormonal response by glucagon and adrenaline, cyclic AMP cascade and activation of phosphorylase; glycogen biosynthesis, steps and enzymes involved; role of phosphatase 1; metabolic response to insulin.
8) Lipid metabolism: fate of triglycerides after ingestion, role of lipases and formation of chylomicrons; storage and movement of fatty acids; mitochondrial activation and transport; carnitine shuttle system; beta-oxidation of fatty acids and its steps; energy balance; ketone bodies and their formation, biological and biochemical significance; biosynthesis of palmitic acid and its steps; cholesterol biosynthesis, its steps and regulation; cholesterol derivatives.
9) Amino acid metabolism: biological significance of amino acid metabolism; definition of ubiquitin and proteasome; biological significance of amino group disposal; the urea cycle and its stages; carbon skeleton recycling; definition of glucogenic and ketogenic amino acid.

Lectures with PowerPoint presentation on the various topics and discussion in the classroom

Material to support the teaching will be uploaded to Moodle in the class dedicated to the course.

The assessment of the achievement of the course objectives involves a written examination consisting of 9 multiple-choice questions of 2 points each + 3 descriptive questions of 4 points each for a total of 30 points. Evaluation in thirtieths. A score of 18/30 is required to obtain a pass mark.

Grading of the assessment:
- Excellent (30-30 with distinction): very good knowledge of the subject matter, very good ownership of language, very good analytical ability; the student is able to apply theoretical knowledge brilliantly to concrete cases.
- Very good (27-29): good knowledge of the subject matter, remarkable command of language, good analytical ability; the student is able to apply theoretical knowledge correctly to concrete cases.
- Good (24-26): good knowledge of the main topics, fair properties of language; the student shows an adequate ability to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases.
- Satisfactory (21-23): the student does not show full mastery of the main topics of the course, although he/she possesses the fundamental knowledge; however, he/she shows satisfactory language skills and sufficient ability to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases.
- Sufficient (18-20): minimal knowledge of the main topics of the teaching and of the technical language, limited ability to adequately apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases.
- Insufficient (<18): unacceptable knowledge of the content of the various syllabus topics.