ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 99 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 24 Interactive Classroom: 24 Total: 150
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 Chemistry
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
Knowing the structure, organization, properties and activities of the molecular components of living matter and the transformations undergone in the organisms to try to understand life processes at the molecular level.
Structure and function of macromolecules and biological membranes. Catalysis and control of biochemical reactions. The role of metals in biological processes. Bioenergetics. Metabolism. Genetic information. Structure, properties and chemical reactivity of biomolecules. Methodology in Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry.
THEORETICAL CONTENT:
SECTION I: INTRODUCTION
Item 1. Introduction to Biochemistry.
Sense of the subject: This topic analyzes the peculiarities of Biochemical Science and the characteristics that define living matter. At the end of the topic, the importance of biochemical discoveries in our daily life is highlighted.
Epigraphs: Characteristics of living matter. Concept, objectives and scope of Biochemistry. Relation to other Sciences. Applications of biochemical discoveries.
Activities to carry out: to review concepts already studied.
Item 2. Biomolecules.
Sense of the subject: This topic analyzes the concept of biomolecules and the structure, properties and activities of the main biomolecules. Finally, it is discussed how macromolecules are organized in supramolecular structures.
Epigraphs: Atoms and molecules of the living matter. Structure, properties, reactivity and function of the organic biomolecules. Non-covalent interactions. Buffering sistems.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
SECTION II: STRUCTURE AND CATALYSIS
Item 3. Sugars and lipids.
Sense of the subject: In this topic the structures, properties and biological activities of carbohydrates and lipids are studied.
Epigraphs: General characteristics and classification of carbohydrates. Monosaccharides and their derivatives. The glycosidic bond. Oligosaccharides and polysaccharides of biological interest. Introduction to lipids. Lipids derived from fatty acids and non-saponificable lipids.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Item 4. Nucleic acids.
Sense of the subject: This topic offers an overview of the structure and function of different nucleic acids, and highlights the ability of these biomolecules to store, express and transmit genetic information.
Epigraphs: Nucleotides and the phosphodiester bond. Structure of DNAs and RNAs. Denaturation and hybridization of nucleic acids.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Item 5. Structure and properties of proteins.
Sense of the subject: This topic analyzes the covalent structure and spatial conformation of proteins, with special emphasis on the importance of spatial conformation in the great diversity of functions that proteins perform.
Epigraphs: Introduction to proteins. Proteinaceous and non-proteinaceous amino acids. The peptide bond and the primary structure of peptides and proteins. Three-dimensional structures of proteins. Protein denaturation and folding.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Item 6. Protein function.
Sense of the subject: This topic studies the structure and activity of representative proteins involved in key processes, such as oxygen transport and the immune system among others. The interaction of these proteins with other molecules is analyzed and how these interactions are related to protein activity.
Epigraphs: Heme proteins: oxygen transport and storage. The immune system and immunoglobulins. Molecular machines.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Item 7. Methodology and biochemical techniques.
Sense of the subject: some of the most widely used techniques in biochemical research are presented.
Epigraphs: Centrifugation, chromatography and electrophoresis. Microscopy. Isotopic and immunological techniques. Techniques for determination of the protein structure. Introduction to DNA manipulation and cloning.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Item 8. Enzymes and catalysis.
Sense of the subject: This topic studies the catalysts for reactions in biological systems: enzymes. The structure, properties and mechanisms of catalysis of enzymes are analyzed, followed by an introduction to kinetics and enzymatic regulation. At the end of the topic, the importance of enzymes in various pathologies and in many biotechnological applications is highlighted.
Epigraphs: Introduction: characteristics and properties of enzymes. Nomenclature and classification. Catalytic mechanisms. Coenzymes. Enzyme kinetics. Regulation of enzyme activity.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Test corresponding to Block II (synchronous in the Virtual Campus).
SECTION III. BIOENERGETICS AND METABOLISM
Item 9. Bioenergetics and metabolism.
Sense of the subject: This topic discusses the different ways that organisms use to extract energy from their environment and to channel them into biological work. The central role of the ATP molecule in biological energy exchanges is exposed and the importance of redox reactions and chemical coupling in the transfer of energy between biological systems is highlighted. Finally, a panoramic view of metabolism and the mechanisms involved in its regulation is presented.
Epigraphs: Introduction: organisms and energy sources.Bioenergetics and thermodynamics. Phosphoryl group transfers and ATP. Biological oxidation-reduction reactions. Introduction to metabolism and principles of metabolic regulation.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Item 10. Metabolism of carbohydrates.
Sense of the subject: In the discussion of this topic, special attention will be paid to the central position that glucose occupies in the metabolism of plants, animals and many microorganisms. Glucose is not only an excellent fuel but also a very versatile precursor, capable of supplying many metabolic intermediates for biosynthetic reactions. This topic describes the individual reactions of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and the pentose phosphate pathway. The metabolic destinations of pyruvate are also described, and anaerobic fermentations used by many microorganisms are included. Finally, the carbohydrate synthesis processes are analyzed.
Epigraphs: Introduction to carbohydrate metabolism. Glycolysis and feeder pathways. Pyruvate destinations.Gluconeogenesis. Coordinated regulation of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. The pentose phosphate pathway. Glycogen metabolism and its regulation in animals.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Item 11. Citric acid cycle and glyoxylate.
Sense of the subject: In this topic the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl groups will be considered first, followed by the entry of these groups into the citric acid cycle. Cycle reactions and the enzymes that catalyze them will be analyzed, and some pathways will be exposed where cycle intermediaries are replaced. The topic ends with a discussion of the glyoxylate cycle, which some organisms use to produce glucose from reserve triacylglycerols.
Epigraphs: Production of acetyl-CoA. Reactions of the citric acid cycle. Regulation of the citric acid cycle. The glyoxylate cycle.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Item 12. Lipid metabolism.
Sense of the subject: This topic will describe the properties of triacylglycerols and their importance as energy stores. The sources of fatty acids and the transport routes to the place where their oxidation occurs will be studied. Next, the stages of fatty acid oxidation in the mitochondria will be described and the variations that occur in some specialized organel les will be discussed. And the transformation of acetyl-CoA into ketone bodies in the liver. Finally, the biosynthesis of fatty acids and their incorporation in triacylglycerols and membrane lipids will be described.
Epigraphs: Fat digestion, mobilization and transport. Fatty acid oxidation and ketone bodies. Biosynthesis of fatty acids and triacylglycerols. Biosynthesis of membrane lipids.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Item 13. Oxidative phosphorylation.
Sense of the subject: Oxidative phosphorylation is the culmination of energy-producing metabolism in aerobic organisms. This topic begins with the description of the components of the electronic transfer chain and their organization in the form of large functional complexes associated with the internal mitochondrial membrane. The electronic flow through these complexes will be analyzed as well as the movement of protons associated with said flow and how the energy of this movement is captured in the form of ATP by means of rotational catalysis.
Epigraphs: Introduction. Electron transfer reactions in mitochondria. ATP synthesis. Regulation of oxidative phosphorylation.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Test corresponding to Block III (synchronous in the Virtual Campus).
SECTION IV. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Item 14. Gene structure and DNA replication.
Sense of the subject: This topic examines how different organisms store gene information and studies the processes by which bacteria and eukaryotic cells make faithful copies of DNA molecules.
Epigraphs: Storage of genetic information in different organisms. Structure of chromatin and chromosomes. Replication of bacterial DNA. Replication of nuclear DNA.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Item 15. RNA metabolism.
Sense of the subject: This topic analyzes the central role that RNA plays in the transmission of gene information. The process of transcription in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and the maturation processes that different RNAs undergo inside the cell are studied. The role of RNA as a template for DNA and RNA synthesis by some viruses is also discussed. Finally, some of the specialized functions of RNA are described, including catalytic functions.
Epigraphs: The transcription process in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. RNA maturation. Synthesis of RNA and DNA from RNA.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Item 16. Protein metabolism.
Sense of the subject: This topic describes how the genetic information contained in nucleic acids is translated into proteins (genetic code). The components involved in the protein synthesis process and the protein synthesis mechanisms in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are discussed below. Finally, the main post-translational modifications suffered by proteins are studied, as well as their fate and degradation.
Epigraphs: The genetic code. Protein synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Protein maturation. Protein fate and degradation.
Activities to carry out: questions and / or exercises in seminars or the Virtual Campus.
Test corresponding to Block IV (synchronous in the Virtual Campus).
PRACTICAL CONTENT
Experience 1 (Day 1) - Observation of eukaryotic cells in culture and preparation of a cell extract. The objective of the first part of the practice is to get familiar with the manipulation of eukaryotic cells. For this, we will use chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells cultured as monolayers in plates of 35 mm diameter, from which we will obtain total (whole cell content) and cytoplasmic extracts to be subsequently analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in the second part of the practice.
Experience 2 (Day 1) - Transformation of competent bacteria with an ampicillin-resistant plasmid. We will use "competent" bacterial cells. These cells have a weak cell wall because they have been allowed to grow exponentially, and therefore they are prone to incorporate foreign DNA. Plasmid DNA is incubated with divalent cations in order to neutralize the charge of its phosphates, thus facilitating its interaction with the cell membrane. Competent bacteria will be heat shocked to facilitate the uptake of plasmid DNA, and then placed onto the surface of ampicillin-containing agar plates and spread with the aid of a rod. Only the E. coli cells that have incorporated the ampicillin-resistant PBSCT molecule will grow in the agar plate and will form colonies that will be visible after 12 hours of incubation.
Experiment 3 (Day 2) – Plasmid digestion with restriction enzymes. An essential Molecular Biology procedure will be used in this practice: DNA digestion with restriction endonucleases type II, which cut the DNA in a sequence-specific reproducible manner, as has been discussed in class. Digestion of plasmid BSCT with restriction enzymes will lead to linearization of the plasmid and release of the insert. The different restriction fragments will be resolved by agarose electrophoresis (Part 3) and visualized under ultraviolet light after staining with ethidium bromide.
Experience 4 (Day 2) - Chain Reaction (PCR). In this experience a fragment of DNA will be amplified by a thermostable DNA polymerase with the aid of two specific primers. By successive repetition of cycles of: i) denaturing, ii) hybridization and iii) primer extension.
Basic bibliography:
-McKEE, T. and McKEE, J. R., 2014. Bioquímica. Las bases moleculares de la vida. [en liña] 5 ed. McGRAW-HILL Interamericana Editores. https://accessmedicina-mhmedical-com.ezbusc.usc.gal/book.aspx?bookid=19…
Further reading
- Berg, Tymoczko & Stryer. Bioquímica. 6ª/7ª edición. Barcelona: Editorial Reverté. 2008/2015.
- Feduchi, Blasco, Romero & Yañez. Bioquímica. Conceptos esenciales. 1ª/2ª edición. México: Editorial Médica Panamericana 2010/2015.
-Nelson, David L. and Cox, Michael M. Lehninger Principios de Bioquímica. 6ª/7ª edición. Barcelona: Editorial Omega, 2014/2018.
- Devlin, T.M. Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations. 7th Edition, 2010, Wiley
- Mathews, C.K., Van Holde, K.E. & Ahern, K.G., Bioquímica (3ª/4ª Edición), 2002/2013, Addison Wesley.
- Voet, D., Voet, J.G. y Pratt, C.W. Fundamentos de Bioquímica, 2ª Edición, Ed. Panamericana, 2007.
GENERAL
CG2 - To be able to gather and interpret relevant data, information and results, obtain conclusions and issue reasoned reports on scientific, technological or other problems that require the use of Chemistry knowledge.
CG3 - To be able to apply both acquired theoretical and practical knowledge as well as the capacity for analysis and abstraction in the definition and presentation of problems and in the search for solutions in both academic and professional contexts.
CG4 - That they have the ability to communicate, both in written and oral form, knowledge, procedures, results and ideas in Chemistry to both a specialized and non-specialized public.
CG5 - To be able to study and learn independently, with organization of time and resources, new knowledge and techniques in any scientific or technological discipline.
SPECIFIC
CE13 - Be able to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of the essential facts, concepts, principles and theories related to the areas of Chemistry.
CE15 - Be able to recognize and analyze new problems and plan strategies to solve them.
CE20 - Be able to interpret data from observations and measurements in the laboratory in terms of their significance and the theories that support it.
CE22 - Understand the relationship between theory and experimentation.
CE25 - Being able to relate chemistry to other disciplines.
TRANSVERSE
CT10 - Acquiring critical reasoning.
CT11 - Achieving ethical commitment.
CT12 - Acquiring autonomous learning
CT13 - Ability to adapt to new situations.
CT14 - Develop creativity.
Scenario 1. Adapted normality
- MASTER LECTURES face-to-face with computer projections. The teacher will explain in these classes the theoretical contents of the subject, with the help of audiovisual and computer support. These classes are further supported by the USC VIRTUAL network, containing the slides projected in the classroom and additional support material.
- SEMINARS face-to-face in small groups. Interactive theoretical and practical classes dedicated to solve problems and doubts related to the subject and where issues and problems raised by the teacher and performed by students will be discussed. The students will also be able to prepare and discuss topics related to the subject.
- TUTORIALS face-to-face in small groups for the clarification of doubts about the theory or practices.
- LABORATORY PRACTICAL CLASSES, face-to-face (in small groups). Experimental classes performed in a laboratory where students, under the supervision and guidance of the teacher, will conduct experimental tests and calculations to consolidate the knowledge acquired in the classroom and to become familiar with the management of biochemical techniques and methods.
Scenario 2. Distancing
-Master lectures: depending on the situation and the availability of infrastructure, the expository classes may be carried out partially in person (in shifts) or fully telematically (synchronous or asynchronous), preferably using the Teams platform.
- The seminars and practices will be face-to-face in small groups. If it were necessary to reduce the number of students per group, the contact hours would be reduced to 50%, the rest of the hours being taught in person and asynchronously, preferably using the Moodle platform.
- Tutorials by distance learning, synchronous, using Microsoft Teams platform.
Scenario 3. Closure of facilities.
All teaching activities (master classes, seminars, tutorials and practical classes) will be held by distance learning: master lectures, in an asynchronous way, the other activities will be synchronous using the on-line Campus and Microsoft Teams platform. The students will have the presentations of the classes recorded in the virtual classroom.
The distribution by students of teaching material (both written and audiovisual) to people outside the course is expressly prohibited.
1. Continuous evaluation (CE; 40%), which will comprise:
i. Solving exercises and problems in seminars (Ej_entr = 15%).
ii. On-line questionnaries (Quest= 15%). There will be tests corresponding to blocks II, III and IV of the subject.
iii. Laboratory practicals (Pract = 10%). Some questions will be scored at the end of the practices. Students must earn a grade of suitable (greater than 4) in practices to pass the subject. Unexcused absences will mean a rating of unfit.
2. Final test (FE = 60%). It will consist of questions related to the theoretical and practical contents of the subject.
Final note= FE note x 0,60 + CE note x 0,30. The final note will not be less than the note of the final exam or to the one combined with the continuous evaluation. In order pass it is required to obtain at less 4 on a total of 10 points in the final exam.
Students who do not pass a subject in the ordinary opportunity (January) may be submitted to the chance of recovery (July). The note of the continuous assessment will remain with the exception of those students who fail the internship: they must deliver a new memory, and a review of practices in order to recover.
Students who fail only theoretical part of the subject will be kept the note of the approved practical course for the next 2 courses. The repeaters have the same system of assistance to interactive classes and the same evaluation system for students enrolled for the first time.
Throughout the course the following competencies are evaluated:
Interactive classes: CG2, CG3, CG4, CT10, CT12, CT14, CE13, CE15 and CE25.
Laboratory practices: CG3, CT11, CT12, CT13, CT14, CE15, CE20, CE22 and CE25.
Exam: CG4, CG5, CT12, CT14, CE13, CE22 and CE25.
Scenario 1.
-The delivery of the tasks of the seminars and the questions of the practices will be face-to-face.
-The questionnaires corresponding to the different blocks of the subject will be carried out virtually.
- The control of attendance to the face-to-face activities will be carried out by means of signature, while the participation in the telematic activities will be automatically registered in the Virtual Campus.
-The final test will be face-to-face.
Scenario 2.
The delivery of the tasks of the seminars and the questions of the practices will be in person.
-The questionnaires corresponding to the different blocks of the subject will be carried out virtually.
- Control of attendance at face-to-face activities will be carried out by signing, while participation in telematic activities will be automatically registered in the Virtual Campus.
-The final test will be synchronous telematics.
Scenario 3.
-All deliveries and questionnaires will be virtual, either through CampusVirtual or Microsoft Teams.
- Participation control will be automatically re-registered in the CampusVirtual or Teams.
-The final test will be synchronous telematics.
In cases of fraudulent carrying out of exercises or tests, the provisions of the "Student Assessment and Academic Performance Assessment Regulations" of the USC will apply.
Classroom hours:
- 27 hours of theory.
- 10 hours of seminars in small groups.
- 2 hours of tutoring in small groups.
- 8 hours of laboratory practice.
Personal hours:
- 54 hours for the preparation of the theoretical matter.
- 22 hours for writing exercises, conclusions and further work.
- 12 hours for the preparation of submissions and problem preparation.
- 12 hours for preparing and processing practices of memory.
Total: 147 hours
Assistance to the proposed activities, bringing the subject up to date and discussing the doubts with the teacher during the tutorial hours.
Contingency plan
Adaptations for scenarios 2 and 3 are as follows:
Teaching methodology
Scenario 2. Distancing
- MASTER LECTURES: depending on the situation and the availability of infrastructure, the expository classes may be carried out partially in person (in shifts) or fully telematically (synchronous or asynchronous), preferably using the Teams platform.
- The seminars and practices will be face-to-face in small groups. If it were necessary to reduce the number of students per group, the contact hours would be reduced to 50%, the rest of the hours being taught in person and asynchronously, preferably using the Moodle platform.
- TUTORIALS in small groups to be held electronically and synchronously.
Scenario 3. Closure of facilities.
All teaching activities (master classes, seminars, tutorials and practical classes) will be held by distance learning, using the on-line Campus and Microsoft Teams platform. The students will have the presentations of the classes recorded in the virtual classroom.
Assessment system
Scenario 2.
The delivery of the tasks of the seminars and the questions of the practices will be in person.
-The questionnaires corresponding to the different blocks of the subject will be carried out virtually.
- Control of attendance at face-to-face activities will be carried out by signing, while participation in telematic activities will be automatically registered in the Virtual Campus.
-The final test will be preferentially synchronous by electronic means (Microsoft Teams).
Scenario 3.
-All deliveries and questionnaires will be virtual, either through CampusVirtual or Microsoft Teams.
- Participation control will be automatically re-registered in the CampusVirtual or Teams.
-The final test will be preferentially synchronous telematics
Jose Manuel Martinez Costas
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Phone
- 881815734
- jose.martinez.costas [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Cristina Diaz Jullien
Coordinador/a- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Phone
- 881816932
- cristina.diaz [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary PhD professor
Maria Lourdes Dominguez Gerpe
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- ml.dominguez.gerpe [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary supply professor to reduce teaching hours
Saínza Lores Touriño
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- sainza.lores [at] rai.usc.es
- Category
- Xunta Pre-doctoral Contract
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Physical Chemistry Classroom (ground floor) |
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Technical Chemistry Classroom (ground floor) |
| Tuesday | |||
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLIS_04 | Spanish | General Chemistry Classroom (2nd floor) |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Biology Classroom (3rd floor) |
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | General Chemistry Classroom (2nd floor) |
| Friday | |||
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Spanish | Physics Classroom (3rd floor) |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Spanish | Mathematics Classroom (3rd floor) |
| 01.11.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Analytical Chemistry Classroom (2nd floor) |
| 01.11.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Biology Classroom (3rd floor) |
| 01.11.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Organic Chemistry Classroom (1st floor) |
| 01.11.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Technical Chemistry Classroom (ground floor) |
| 06.30.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Mathematics Classroom (3rd floor) |
| 06.30.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Physics Classroom (3rd floor) |