Structure and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Enzymes. Energy metabolism. The endogenous biosynthesis. Nitrogen metabolism. The functionality of major organs and tissues. Integration of metabolism. Nutritional aspects: nutrition-fasting cycle, macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, essential amino acids. Healthy foods and intolerance. Conservation and gene expression information.
-Jeremy M Berg, John L Tymoczko, Lubert Stryer
Principles of Biochemistry
Zanichelli Ed.
2012
-David L Nelson, Michael M Cox
Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger
Zanichelli Ed., Bologna
2015
- P. C. Champe, R. A. Harvey, D.R. Ferrier.
Le basi della biochimica.
Zanichelli Ed., Bologna, 2006.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired:
Knowledge of molecules forming tissues of animals and plants.
Knowledge of reactions that lead to the synthesis and transformation of these molecules.
Knowledge of the relationship between nutrition and health.
Competence acquired (at the end of the course):
Competence to define the status of molecules and macromolecules and the possible interactions with regard to their functional properties.
Being able to define the relationship between the molecules present in a food and individual health.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites approved by CDL.
a good knowledge of general and organic chemistry is compulsory. the knowledge of the basic principles of biology and cytology is also requested
Teaching Methods
Front lessons.
Total hours of the course = 225 (9CFUx25h).
Front lessons in room: 72
hours for study and deepening 153
Further information
Attendance of lectures: yes
Teaching tools:
slides (on the Moodle site at unifi.it)
Office hours:every day after appointment (mail to: luigia.pazzagli@unifi.it or francesco.ranaldi@unifi.it)
Type of Assessment
Oral examination verifying the ability to design structures and metabolism of compounds. Before oral examination a short written test will be performed on the main biological macromolecules. following, the questions will be highligh the ability of the students to process and understand the main topics.
Course program
The extended program is in agreement with the slides that are inserting in the Moodle platform. Password will be communicated to students at the beginning of the course. HOWEVER, the main topics are: Organization of biological systems: molecules, energy and information. Biological macromolecules: structure-function relationships, their physiological significance.
Protein composition and primary structure. Higher order structures, motifs, domains. Quaternary structure, functional meanings. Post-translational modifications. Protein folding. Haemoglobin and collagen.
Enzymes: general aspects of enzyme catalysis and regulation of enzyme activity. Coenzymes.
Bioenergetics. Energy interconversion, the role of high-energy compounds, coupled reactions. Transport mechanisms. Messengers and receptors.
Polysaccharides: reserve and structural polysaccharides. Glycoproteins.
Glycolysis and fermentation. Gluconeogenesis. Hexose monophosphate pathway. Glycogen synthesis and degradation.
Metabolism of fructose, lactose and galactose.
Biochemical aspects of assumption, digestion and absorption of food. Metabolism of amino acids.
Elimination of nitrogen compounds.
Citric acid cycle. Electron transport chain. Oxidative phosphorylation. The fermentations.
Dietary lipids: classes, functions, digestion, absorption, secretion and utilization. Fatty acids and triacylglycerol metabolism. Phospholipid metabolism. Cholesterol and steroids. Lipoproteins.
Metabolic effects of insulin and glucagon.
Metabolism in well-fade state and starvation.
Principles of human nutrition. Energy and nutrient requirements in humans. Macro and micronutrients. Minerals. Dietary recommendations.
Vitamins: type of vitamins and their role in metabolic pathways and cellular physiology.
Integration and regulation of the main metabolic pathways.
The topics of nutraceutics and nutrigenomic. Functional foods. Foods intolerances and allergies.
Nucleic acids: structure and function of DNA and RNA. Genetic code. Synthesis of proteins. The importance of transcription regulation in human nutrition.