ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 2 Expository Class: 36 Interactive Classroom: 18 Total: 56
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Areas: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Center Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
- Knowledge of the chemical structure of the molecules that constitute the human body.
- Knowledge of the mechanisms of assembly in supramolecular structures, cells, and tissues of the human body.
- Knowledge of the ways to obtain the energy needed to maintain the vital functions of the human body.
- Knowledge of the metabolic pathways that the human body used for both synthesis and degradation of biomolecules.
- Knowledge of the control mechanisms that coordinate the thousands of chemical reactions that occur in the human body.
- Knowledge of the chemical changes that accompany growth, differentiation, aging, and death of cells in the human body.
- Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the operation of equipment and human body systems and their pathological changes.
- Learn to perform basic laboratory techniques in biochemistry and to interpret the results obtained.
MOLECULAR ORGANIZATION OF LIVING ORGANISMS. Scope and objectives of Medical Biochemistry. Bioelements and biomolecules. Cells and cellular compartments.
WATER. Molecular structure and properties. The water in living beings. Ionic activity. Acids and bases. Physiological buffers and pH regulation.
PROTEINS. Amino acids: properties and methods of analysis. Structure of proteins. Folding of proteins. Methods for the study of amino acids and proteins. Proteins with biomedical interest.
ENZYMES. Classification of enzymes. Mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis. Enzymatic activity and kinetics of enzymatic reactions. Regulation of enzyme activity. Biomedical applications of enzymes.
INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM AND BIOENERGETICS. General characteristics of metabolism and mechanisms of metabolic regulation. Gibbs free energy. High-energy compounds.
METABOLISM OF CARBOHYDRATES. Carbohydrates: structure, classification, function and biomedical importance. Glycolysis. Gluconeogenesis. Glycogen metabolism. The pentose phosphate pathway. Regulation of carbohydrate metabolism.
COMMON PHASES OF OXIDATIVE METABOLISM. Tricarboxylic acid cycle. Mitochondrial electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Regulation of the common phases of oxidative metabolism.
METABOLISM OF LIPIDS. Lipids: structure, function, and biomedical relevance. Structure and function of biological membranes, transport across membranes Oxidation and synthesis of fatty acids. Metabolism of complex lipids. Metabolism of eicosanoids. Metabolism of cholesterol. Regulation of lipid metabolism.
METABOLISM OF LIPOPROTEINS. Composition and structural characteristics of lipoproteins. Lipoprotein functions. Lipoprotein metabolism.
METABOLISM OF AMINO ACIDS. General aspects of amino acid metabolism. Specific amino acid metabolism. Amino acid derivatives of biomedical interest. Protein degradation and protein turnover.
Basic bibliography:
- Meisenberg G, Simmons WH. "Principios de Bioquímica Médica". Cuarta ed. Barcelona: Elsevier; 2018.
- Ronner P. “Netter. Bioquímica esencial”. Primera ed. Barcelona: Elsevier; 2019.
- Feduchi E, Romero C, Yáñez E, Blasco I, García-Hoz C. "Bioquímica. Conceptos Esenciales". Tercera ed. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 2021.
- Tymoczko JL, Berg JM, Stryer LL, "Bioquímica: Curso básico". Editorial Reverté, Barcelona, 2014.
- Rodwell VW, Bender DA, Botham KM, Kennelly PJ, Weil P. “Harper. Bioquímica ilustrada” 32 edición. 2022 McGraw Hill Education Inc.
- Voet D.; Voet J.G.; Pratt, C.W. “Fundamentos de Bioquímica. La vida a nivel molecular”. 4º edición. Editorial Médica Panamericana, 2016.
- Garzón de la Mora P, González Hita M, Gurrola Díaz CM y cols. “Manual de prácticas de laboratorio de bioquímica”. Tercera ed. Madrid: McGraw-Hill Interamericana; 2014.
Complementary bibliography:
- Baynes JW, Dominiczac MH. "Bioquímica Médica". Sexta ed. Barcelona: Elsevier España; 2024.
- McKee T, McKee JR. “Bioquímica. Las bases moleculares de la vida”. Séptima ed. Madrid: McGraw-Hill Interamericana; 2020.
- Lieberman M., Marks A.D., Peet A. “Marks Bioquímica médica básica : un enfoque clínico”. 5º edición. Barcelona. Wolters Kluwer , 2018
- Herrera E., Ramos M.P., Roca P., Viana, M. “Bioquímica básica”. Elsevier España, S.L. 2014.
- JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments) https://www-jove-com.ezbusc.usc.gal/es/
The student will have remote access to part of the recommended bibliography through the service of the USC University Library.
Knowledge
Con02. Biomolecules.
Con03. Metabolism.
Con04. Metabolic regulation and integration.
Con05. Knowing the basic principles of human nutrition.
Con18. Knowing of both instrumentation and basic laboratory techniques.
Con19. Interpreting normal laboratory tests.
Competencies
Comp01. Ability to analyse and synthesize.
Comp02. Ability to organize and plan.
Comp03. Oral and written communication in one's own language.
Comp05. Basic computer skills.
Comp06. Information management skills (ability to search for and analyse information from various sources).
Comp07. Problem-solving.
Comp08. Decision-making.
Comp09. Critical and self-critical ability.
Comp10. Teamwork.
Comp11. Interpersonal skills.
Comp16. Ethical commitment.
Comp17. Ability to apply knowledge in practice.
Comp18. Research skills.
Comp19. Ability to learn independently.
Comp20. Ability to adapt to new situations.
Comp21. Ability to generate new ideas (creativity).
Comp24. Ability to work independently.
Comp26. Initiative and entrepreneurial spirit.
Comp27. Concern for quality.
Skills or abilities
H/D07. Understand and recognize the normal structure and function of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and systems levels, at the different stages of life and in both sexes.
H/D08. Knowing and recognize the foundations of normal human behaviour and its disorders.
H/D09. Understand and recognize the effects, mechanisms, and manifestations of disease on the structure and function of the human body.
H/D10. Understand and recognize the causative agents and risk factors that determine health states and the development of disease.
H/D11. Understand and recognize the effects of growth, development, and aging on the individual and their social environment.
H/D12. Understand the fundamentals of action, indications, and efficacy of therapeutic interventions, based on available scientific evidence.
H/D31. Understand, critically evaluate and know how to use clinical and biomedical information sources to obtain, organize, interpret and communicate scientific and health information.
H/D34. Maintain a critical and creative perspective, with constructive skepticism and a focus on research, in professional practice.
H/D36. Be able to formulate hypotheses, collect and critically evaluate information for problem solving using the scientific method.
H/D37. Acquiring basic training for research activity.
Lectures, in which the teacher will explain the subject's content using audiovisual media and virtual campus resources, encouraging student participation to ask questions that arise during the explanations.
Seminars in small groups, where practical activities will be carried out: presenting questions, problems, and case studies related to the content explained in the lectures, to be solved by students with the teacher's guidance; presentation of individual or group projects by students; resolution of doubts by the instructor.
Laboratory practices, in which students will learn, under the instructor's supervision, how to use basic biochemistry laboratory equipment and will carry out some biomolecule analysis protocols.
Individual tutoring, aimed at clarifying doubts and guiding students.
The evaluation will consist of three parts: final exam, evaluation of the laboratory practical part and evaluation of the interactive classes (seminars).
The final exam will represent 80% of the final grade (maximum of 8 points). This final exam may include multiple choice questions and/or short questions, covering all aspects related to the contents of the subject. The student must demonstrate in the exam an adequate knowledge of each part of the subject.
The laboratory practical part will represent 10% of the final grade (maximum of 1 point). A written exam of multiple-choice questions and/or short questions will be carried out, the attitude, attendance and the work developed by the student in the laboratory practices may also be taken into account in this assessment. Attendance at practical sessions is mandatory (requiring a minimum of 80% attendance) to be eligible to take the final exam and, therefore, pass the subject. The qualification of the practices will be maintained during the two following academic years.
The interactive classes (seminars) will represent 10% of the final grade (maximum of 1 point). This assessment will be done through regular checks of student learning, attendance, and student participation in scheduled activities.
To pass the subject, the student must obtain a minimum score of 4.5 points (out of a maximum of 9 points) from the sum of the final exam grade plus the grade corresponding to the laboratory practices and a minimum score of 5 points from the sum of the final exam grade plus the grades corresponding to the laboratory practices and the interactive seminar classes. In addition, as indicated above, attendance at practices is mandatory to pass the subject.
In cases in which the fraudulent performance of exercises and assessment tests is detected, the provisions of the “Regulations for the evaluation of student academic performance and review of grades” will be applied.
Student class work: 56 hours
Personal work: 94 hours
Attendance at all classroom activities relating to the teaching of the subject.
Monitoring and periodic reading of texts and other materials recommended by the teacher.
Use of tutorials to solve any doubts the student may have in relation to the covered contents.
Finally, students will focus their study on the understanding of the concepts given and their possible application in the medical field, not limiting its attention to simply assimilate information.
Antonio Juan Pazos Castelos
Coordinador/a- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Phone
- 881816056
- antonioj.pazos [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Maria Dolores Vazquez Illanes
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Phone
- 881812335
- mdolores.vazquez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Ricardo Lage Fernandez
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Phone
- 881815409
- ricardo.lage [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: LOU (Organic Law for Universities) PhD Assistant Professor
Sofia Sanchez Iglesias
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- sofia.sanchez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: LOU (Organic Law for Universities) PhD Assistant Professor
Sabela Da Silva Alvarez
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- sabela.dasilva.alvarez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Researcher: Juan de la Cierva Programme
Marta Maria Varela Rey
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- martavarela.rey [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30-09:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 15:30-16:30 | Grupo /CLE_03 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 08:30-09:30 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 15:30-16:30 | Grupo /CLE_04 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 08:30-09:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 15:30-16:30 | Grupo /CLE_03 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| Thursday | |||
| 08:30-09:30 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 15:30-16:30 | Grupo /CLE_04 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| Friday | |||
| 08:30-09:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 15:30-16:30 | Grupo /CLE_03 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 01.19.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicina-Aula 10 |
| 01.19.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 2 |
| 01.19.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 3 |
| 01.19.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 01.19.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 01.19.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 6 |
| 01.19.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 7 |
| 01.19.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 8 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 3 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 7 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 8 |