Program Overview

Program Overview

The Biochimica program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the biochemical processes that govern human life, from birth to maturity, at all levels. The course aims to equip students with knowledge and skills in the field of biological molecules, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleotides.

Presentation

Biochemistry, the study of chemical reactions that govern the life of organisms, is also the basis for human motor activities, from birth to maturity, at all levels. The course proposes to provide students with knowledge and skills in the field of biological molecules, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleotides. Additionally, the course will examine the metabolic pathways of catabolism and anabolism to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of intermediate metabolism and molecular mechanisms for energy production.

Objectives and Contents

Educational Objectives

The course aims to provide knowledge of the molecular bases of biological systems, biochemical mechanisms that regulate cellular metabolic activities, and the production and conservation of metabolic energy.

Detailed Educational Objectives and Learning Outcomes

The Biochemistry course deepens the knowledge acquired in the Propedeutica Biochimica exam in the first semester and the main topics of Biochemistry, correlating the contents with the educational objectives of the student of motor sciences. The course proposes to provide students with the foundations of Biochemistry, starting from the structure-function of biomolecules to the basic concepts of metabolism. The objectives of the course are to understand the molecular bases of biological systems, biochemical mechanisms that regulate cellular metabolic activities, and the production and conservation of metabolic energy.

The main objectives are:

1. Provide theoretical competence and notions related to the knowledge and role of biological macromolecules in biochemical processes.
2. Provide key concepts regarding oxygen transport and enzyme catalysis and its regulation.
3. Provide key concepts on basic metabolic functions and their regulation in phases of fasting and nutrition.
4. Provide key concepts on the conservation of metabolic reserves, anabolic pathways, and their correlation with weight control.
5. Provide key concepts on muscle metabolism, focusing on skeletal and cardiac muscle.

Prerequisites

Good knowledge of general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and cell biology. Students must have passed the Biologia Cellulare and Propedeutica Biochimica exams.

Teaching Methods

The course will be held with frontal lessons and discussions with students to verify the correlation between metabolic activities and daily activities of an individual. These discussions will focus on the correlations between metabolic pathways, the regulation of metabolism during fasting and nutrition, and the main metabolic pathways involved in motor activities and during intense muscle exercise.

Program/Content

The course is divided into five distinct phases:

1. Characterization of chemical reactions based on their biochemical relevance.
2. Study of the role of oxygen in living organisms, particularly in humans.
3. Analysis of the use of various nutrients for energy production.
4. Examination of the systems for conserving excess nutrients.
5. Study of the biochemistry of skeletal and cardiac muscle, focusing on the most important and unique metabolic pathways of these tissues.

Texts/Bibliography

All PowerPoint presentations, videos, and wooclap are available on AulaWeb. Students can purchase a basic biochemistry book, such as "Chimica e biochimica per le Scienze Motorie" by Bertoldi M. et al., published by Edises.

Teachers and Commissions

LAURA STURLA

• Office Hours: By appointment, contact the teacher via email.
• The teacher is available for meetings on Teams for explanations and review before the exam.

Examination Commission

LAURA STURLA (President) ENRICO MILLO (Supplementary President)

Lessons

Start of Lessons

Second semester, at the Savona Campus. Lessons (three-hour modules) will be held twice a week from March to May. Attendance is mandatory and fundamental for passing the exam.

Lesson Schedule

The schedule for this course can be found on the EasyAcademy portal.

Exams

Examination Methods

Written exam

Assessment Methods

Discussions with students and quizzes based on wooclap multiple-choice questions.

Exam Calendar