Biochemistry I

1. To know the chemical composition of the living matter, as well as the structure and properties of the biomoléculas.

2. To understand the enzymes function as catalysts in biological systems by the study of the basic enzimology and kinetical enzymatic. These theoretical knowledges applied to the biochemical analyses in the laboratory and to the resolution of practical problems.

3. Study the nucleic acids like biomoléculas transmissive of the genetic information, this study will cover from structural appearances until the main routes of the genetic information.

4. Introduction to the metabolism and study of the metabolic routes head offices of the intermediate metabolism

Lecture programme:
The lectures will take place in 30 sessions of one hour each.

Item 1. The molecular logic of life. Production and consumption of energy. Chemical characteristics of living matter. Bioelements and biomolecules.

Item 2. Structure and function of amino acids, peptides and proteins.

Item 3. Enzymes. Enzyme kinetics. Mechanisms of enzymatic regulation.

Item 4. Structure and Function of carbohydrates: monosaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. Glycoconjugates.

Item 5. Structure and function of lipids. Reserve lipids. Structural lipids. Lipids with specific biological activities. Lipoproteins

Item 6. Biological membranes and cellular transport.

Item 7. Structure and function of nucleotides and nucleic acids. Genes and chromosomes

Item 8. Pathways of genetic information replication, transcription and translation.

Item 9. Bioenergetics and metabolism. Overview of metabolism.

Item 10. Central routes of intermediary metabolism.


Interactive class schedule:
The lectures are supplemented with 8 hours of interactive classes, grouped into four sessions of 2 hours each. They students will discuss and resolve issues and problems related to the subject to be worked on previously. This material, in some cases, will be available on the website of the course and others will be provided by the teacher in class for interactive.

Program of practical lessons:
Laboratory practical classes were conducted in 5 sessions of 3 hours and one hour test at the end of the same

Practice 1. Obtaining a protein extract and partial purification of proteins.
Practice 2. Determination of protein concentration. Lowry method.
Practice 3. Separation and identification of human serum proteins.
Practice 4. Effect of substrate concentration on enzyme activity. Calculation of Km
Practice 5. Study of the variation of enzyme activity with pH.
Practice 6. Starch extraction and characteristic reactions of carbohydrates.
Practice 7. Extraction and reactions characteristic of lipids.

Basic Bibliography:

- Bioquímica. Conceptos esenciales. Feduchi y col. Editorial McGraw-Hill, 3ª ed.,2021.

- Lehninger. Principios de Bioquímica. Nelson y Cox. Editorial Omega. 7ª ed., 2018.

- Bioquímica. Curso básico. Stryer, Berg y Tymoczko. Editorial Reverté, S.A., 2ª ed. 2014.



Complementary Bibliography:

- Bioquímica. Stryer, Berg y Tymoczko. Editorial Reverté, S.A., 7ª ed., 2013

- Bioquímica. Fundamentos para Medicina y Ciencias de la Vida. Werner Müller-Esterl. Editorial Reverté. 2008.

- Fundamentos de Bioquímica. Voet, Voet, Pratt. Editorial Médica Panamericana. 4ª ed., 2016.

- Bioquímica y Biología Molecular para ciencias de la salud. Lozano y col. Editorial McGraw-Hill-Interamericana. 3ª ed., 2005.

- Bioquímica. Libro de texto con aplicaciones clínicas. Devlin. Editorial Reverté, S.A., 4ª ed., 2004.

- Bioquímica: Las bases moleculares de la vida. McKee & McKee. Editorial McGraw- Hill-Interamericana. 7ª ed., 2020.

- Fundamentos de Bioquímica. Parte 1. Bioquímica estructural. Garrido- Pertierra y col. Editorial Tébar, 2006.

- Fundamentos de Bioquímica. Parte 2. Bioquímica metabólica. Garrido-Pertierra y col. Editorial Tébar, 2006.


Many of the above books are also available electronically through reBUSCa (part of the USC library system):
-Bioquímica. Conceptos esenciales. Feduchi y col. Editorial McGraw-Hill, 3ª ed., 2020.

-Bioquímica. Stryer, Berg y Tymoczko. Editorial Reverté, 7ª ed. 2015

-Bioquímica. McKee. 5ª ed. McGraw-Hill

Knowledge:
Con 03. Know how to apply the scientific method and acquire skills in the management of legislation, sources of information, bibliography, preparation of protocols and other aspects that are considered necessary for the design and critical evaluation of preclinical and clinical trials.
Con 19. Know the structures of biomolecules and their transformations in the cell.
Con 21. Know the properties of cell membranes and the distribution of drugs.
Con 22. Know the nature and behaviour of infectious agents.
Con 23. Know the main metabolic routes involved in the degradation of drugs.


Skills or abilities:
H/D 02. Design, apply and evaluate reagents, methods and clinical analytical techniques, knowing the basic foundations of clinical analyses and the characteristics and contents of laboratory diagnostic reports.
H/D 05. Develop communication and information skills, both oral and written, to deal with patients and users of the centre where you carry out your professional activity.
H/D 06. Promote work and collaboration skills in multidisciplinary teams and those related to other health professionals.
H/D 13. Estimate the biological risks associated with the use of substances and laboratory processes used therein.
H/D 14. Understand the relationship between the life cycle of infectious agents and the properties of the active ingredients.
H/D 15. Develop skills to identify therapeutic targets and biotechnological drug production, as well as the use of gene therapy.


Competencies:
Comp 01. Capacity for analysis and synthesis.
Comp 02. Ability to organize and plan
Comp 03. Oral and written communication in one's own language.
Comp 05. Basic computer handling skills.

A) Large Group Lectures: Lesson taught by the teacher in setting out the theoretical approach to the subject. The USC virtual platform will support and complement the theoretical teaching.

B) Small group interactive classes: Theory and practice class in which we propose and solve applications of theory (problems, exercises..). The student participates actively in these in these clases by delivering exercises to the teacher, solving exercises in the classroom, etc. It includes written tests on specific sections. Attendance at these interactive classes is mandatory for continuous assessment.

C) Laboratory Practical classes: Students learn the skills specific to a laboratory and consolidates the knowledge gained in the lectures. For these practices, the student will have a laboratory manual. The student will perform these practical sessions in small groups, gathering in the manual the results, presenting them to the teacher at the end of each session. Attendance at these classes is mandatory.

D) Very small groups scheduled tutorials: Tutorials are scheduled by the Faculty. Further work is proposed to monitor the level of learning and understanding of the subject, clarification of doubts about the theory or practice, problems, exercises, readings or other tasks proposed.

E) The USC virtual platform to support and complement the theoretical and practical teaching as an important element of communication with the student. It is made available to students the resources and skills needed for the study of the subject.

1. The two calls for evaluation in the academic year will consist of three parts: theoretical exam, laboratory practical part and interactive part.

2. The theoretical exam will account for 70% of the final grade (maximum 7 points). The exam will be mixed, with multiple choice questions covering all the fundamental parts of the subject, and short and concrete questions, for evaluating the development of reasoning and the assimilation of the subject. The student must demonstrate a minimum level of understanding in all the different areas covered. It is necessary that the mark obtained in this test exceed 45% (3.2) of the maximum (7) to assess the remaining sections.

3. The evaluation of the laboratory practical part will be 10% (up 1 point) of the final grade. This assessment will include the work done by the student in the laboratory as well as the understanding of experimental results, as assessed through a written test consisting of short questions.
Assistance to all the practical sessions and the final written test is mandatory to pass the subject of Biochemistry I.
The marks for the practical laboratory part will be maintained only during the two following academic years in the case of failing the course.

4. Evaluation of interactive classes will be 20% (up to 2 points) of the final grade. This assessment will be established taking into account: active participation in these classes, performing the proposed activities, marks to written tests about specific points proposed to the student, etc. Mark corresponding to this part will be maintained only for the ongoing academic course.

5. For the 2º call, only the theoretical exam needs to be done. Maximum mark for the qualification of this exam as well as the minimum required to pass are the same as for the 1st call.

6. The student must obtain five points over a total of ten to pass the subject.

7. The evaluation of the competences acquired in the subject will be done in the following ways:
Theoretical exam: Con 19, Con 21, Con 22, Con 23. Comp 01, Comp 03
Laboratory classes: Con 03, H/D 02, H/D 13, H/D 14, H/D 15
Interactive classes: H/D 05, H/D 06, Comp 02, Comp 05

PRESENCE IN THE CLASS WORK HOURS

Large-group lectures 30
Small group interactive classes 8
Very small group tutorials 2
16 Labs
Testing and revision 4

Total hours of classroom work
in the classroom or laboratory 60


STUDENT PERSONNEL WORK HOURS

Individual self-study or group 60
Solving exercises, or other work 16
Orientation and resolution of questions 4
Preparation of laboratory work
and its reporting practices 6
Implementation and Review Exam 4

Total hours of personal work 90

- It is advisable to attend the lectures and, as far as possible, to study the class on a day-to-day basis.

- It is essential that students attempt to resolve the issues proposed in the lectures so they can raise their concerns to the teacher in the interactive classes.

- The use of the USC virtual is recommended since students can consult with the teacher questions via email. This page will include materials such as outlines, summaries, and problems to help students to pass the final exam.

- It is essential to prepare the practices before entering the laboratory. First, you should review the important theoretical concepts in each experiment and then you should carefully read the script of the experiment, trying to understand the objectives and the development of the proposed experiment. Any doubts that might arise before or during practice must be discussed with the teacher