Metabolic Biochemistry
Code: 103597 ECTS Credits: 7| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2502442 Medicine | FB | 1 | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Jose Manuel Lopez Blanco
- Email:
- JoseManuel.Lopez@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- spanish (spa)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- No
Other comments on languages
English wii be optional in one out of six laboratory groupsTeachers
- José Aguilera Ávila
- José Miguel Lizcano de Vega
- Jordi Ortiz de Pablo
- Enrique Claro Izaguirre
- Francisco Blanco Vaca
- Montserrat Solé Piñol
- Jose Manuel Lopez Blanco
- Victor Jose Yuste Mateos
- Jose Ramon Bayascas Ramirez
- Alberto Fernández de Arriba
- Belen Ramos Josemaria
- Maria Antonia Baltrons Soler
- Roser Masgrau Juanola
Prerequisites
Although there are no official prerequisites, it is highly recommended to have passed the subject "Structural Biochemistry and Molecular Biology."
In any case, it is worthy to review the following high school subjects:
- Organic chemical functions and their reactions
- Chemical reactions of oxidation-reduction and nucleophilic substitutions
- General concepts of metabolism
Objectives and Contextualisation
The Metabolic Biochemistry subject focuses on the knowledge of the sources, forms of storage and use of energy and nutrients in the human organism, distinguishing the different metabolic specializations.
The main catabolic and anabolic pathways and their regulation are studied. Emphasis is placed on the interrelations of the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides, in the mechanisms of hormonal regulation during the fast-feed cycle; the biochemical alterations present in common metabolic pathologies are also discussed.
The student is expected to achieve a global understanding of human metabolism that will integrate their principal mechanisms, functions and regulation. This understanding will serve, with the help of textbooks, as the basis for further specific topics during the rest of the degree studies, particularly in subjects such as Physiology, Pharmacology or Clinical Biochemistry.
Competences
- Communicate clearly, orally and in writing, with other professionals and the media.
- Critically assess and use clinical and biomedical information sources to obtain, organise, interpret and present information on science and health.
- Demonstrate basic research skills.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and physical, biochemical and biological processes that help to understand the functioning of the organism and its disorders.
- Demonstrate understanding of the basic sciences and the principles underpinning them.
- Demonstrate understanding of the importance and the limitations of scientific thought to the study, prevention and management of diseases.
- Demonstrate understanding of the mechanisms of alterations to the structure and function of the systems of the organism in illness.
- Demonstrate understanding of the organisation and functions of the genome, the mechanisms of transmission and expression of genetic information and the molecular and cellular bases of genetic analysis.
- Demonstrate understanding of the structure and function of the body systems of the normal human organism at different stages in life and in both sexes.
- Demonstrate, in professional activity, a perspective that is critical, creative and research-oriented.
- Formulate hypotheses and compile and critically assess information for problem-solving, using the scientific method.
- Maintain and sharpen one's professional competence, in particular by independently learning new material and techniques and by focusing on quality.
- Use information and communication technologies in professional practice.
Learning Outcomes
- Communicate clearly, orally and in writing, with other professionals and the media.
- Demonstrate basic research skills.
- Demonstrate, in professional activity, a perspective that is critical, creative and research-oriented.
- Describe the basic molecular mechanisms of storage, transmission and expression of hereditary information.
- Describe the mechanisms, regulation and functions of the main metabolic pathways of the human organism.
- Describe the molecular basis of the structure of the biological macromolecules and of how this structure conditions their activity.
- Describe the role of of the biomolecules that participate in the life processes of the human organism.
- Explain the mechanisms and relate the molecular processes that can be the cause or the consequence of pathological manifestations in the organism.
- Explain the molecular significance of the structure and function of the systems of the human organism.
- Formulate hypotheses and compile and critically assess information for problem-solving, using the scientific method.
- Identify the basic processes of life on various levels of organisation: molecule, cell, tissue, organ, and individual.
- Identify the biochemical tools that help to improve medicine.
- Identify the chemical bases that help to understand the functioning of the organism, at both cell and tissue level.
- Identify the mechanisms of enzymatic transformation of biomolecules.
- Identify the rules that govern energy transfer in the chemical processes of the human organism.
- Maintain and sharpen one's professional competence, in particular by independently learning new material and techniques and by focusing on quality.
- Make correct use of biochemistry terminology.
- Relate alterations to the structure and function of biomolecules to structural and functional alterations to systems of the human organism.
- Relate the molecular and cellular processes that can be the cause or the consequence pathological manifestations in the organism.
- Relate the molecular mechanisms that can generate pathological manifestations in the organism.
- Use information and communication technologies in professional practice.
- Use specific bibliographic sources and databases on biochemistry to work independently on acquiring further knowledge.
Content
THEMATIC BLOCKS OF THEORY AND SEMINARS:
Unit 1. Introduction to metabolism and its regulation. Biochemistry of cell signalling
Basic concepts of Bioenergetics. Control of energy metabolism. Main routes of inter and intracellular signalling controlling energetic metabolism (5 hours of lectures and 2 hours of specialized seminars).
Unit 2. Common phase of oxidative metabolism
Mitochondrial energy metabolism: pyruvate deshidrogenase, cycle of tricarboxylic acids and oxidative phosphorylation. Oxygen free radicals (4 hours of lectures and 4 hours of specialized seminars).
Unit 3. Structure and metabolism of carbohydrates
Structure, characteristics, origin and function of carbohydrates. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Glycolysis Gluconeogenesis. Glycogen metabolism. Route of the pentoses phosphate. Common alterations in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism (6 hours of lectures and 4 hours of specialized seminars).
Unit 4. Structure and metabolism of lipids
Structure and characteristics of lipids. Obtaining energy from fatty acids. Synthesis of fatty acids and triacylglycerides. Metabolism of lipids with structural function. Cholesterol metabolism. Transport of lipids in blood by lipoproteins. Common alterations in the regulation of lipid metabolism. (6 hours of lectures and 4 hours of specialized seminars). At the end of the subject, there will be 1 session of a classroom practice about dyslipidemia (2 hours)
Unit 5. Metabolism of nitrogenized compounds
Metabolism of amino acids. Cycle of urea. Metabolism of amino acid derivatives: non-nucleotide and nucleotide nitrogen derivatives (5 hours of lectures and 2 hours of specialized seminars).
Unit 6. Integration and control of metabolism
Metabolic particularities of some tissues.Interrelations between the tissues during the feeding-fast cycle and under particular physiological and pathological states (1 hour of lectures and 4 hours of specialized seminars).
LABORATORY PRACTICES:
- Control of carbohydrates metabolism: determination of pyruvate kinase activity and glycemia (1 session, 4 hours)
- Determination of serum lipids: total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (1 session, 4 hours)
- Determination of liver transaminase ALT and AST activities (1 session, 4 hours)
Methodology
The teaching methodology will consist of theory classes (TE), specialized seminars (SEM) where practical and clinical cases will be discussed, laboratory practices (PLAB) and a classroom practice (PAUL), all of them supervised. The main teaching material for these activities will be provided through the UAB Moodle platform.
The theory classes (27 hours) will be given in the form of one hour lectures in which the teachers will also comment on the material available for other activities, including materials for self-learning.
Students will attend specialized seminars in small groups. They will work in small groups for the discussion of course materials, clinical case studies or problem solving (10 sessions of 2 hours). A tutor will act as moderator.
For the laboratory practices (3 sessions of 4 hours) a laboratory handbook will be followed. Students will find a questionnaire to be solved.
The classroom practice on dyslipidemia (1 session of 2 hours) will be given by the Head of the Clinical Biochemistry Service of the Hospital de la Santa Cruz and Sant Pau.
Finally, following the self-study of the students and previously asking for an appointment with the professors, the students will be able to have specific tutorials.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| CLASSROOM PRACTICES (PAUL) | 2 | 0.08 | 7, 5, 6, 9, 8, 11, 13, 12, 20, 19, 18, 17 |
| LABORATORY PRACTICES (PLAB) | 12 | 0.48 | 2, 5, 8, 10, 14, 13, 12, 16, 20, 19, 17, 21 |
| SEMINARS (SEM) | 20 | 0.8 | 1, 2, 3, 7, 5, 6, 9, 8, 10, 14, 11, 13, 12, 15, 16, 20, 19, 18, 17, 22, 21 |
| THEORY (TE) | 27 | 1.08 | 2, 3, 7, 5, 6, 9, 8, 10, 14, 11, 13, 12, 15, 20, 19, 18, 17, 21 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE AT THE MOODLE PLATFORM, PREPARATION OF SEM ACTIVITIES, TUTORIALS | 17.5 | 0.7 | 1, 2, 3, 7, 5, 6, 9, 8, 10, 14, 11, 13, 12, 15, 16, 20, 19, 18, 17, 22, 21 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| SELF STUDY / PREPARATION OF WRITTEN WORKS | 88 | 3.52 | 3, 7, 5, 6, 9, 8, 10, 14, 11, 13, 12, 15, 16, 20, 19, 18, 17, 22, 21 |
Assessment
The average mark of the subject is calculated based on the grades obtained in 4 assessment activities (continuous evaluation):
- Exam 1, of a global nature written through objective tests of multiple-choice items, with a total weight of 46% of the final mark.
- Exam 2, of a global nature written through objective tests of essay, with a total weight of 46% of the final mark.
- Laboratory practices (PLAB) and classroom practices (PAUL) attendance, with a total weight of 4% of the final mark. This note is all or nothing. If the students attend, at least, to two laboratory practices and the classroom practices they will obtain the maximum score, but no points will be given with a lower attendance.
- Special seminar (SEM) attendance, with a total weight of 4% of the final mark. This note is all or nothing. If students attend, at least, to 80% of the seminars they will obtain the maximum score, but no points will be awarded with a lower attendance.
FORMAT OF EXAMS
In all cases, the examinations will be assessments written through objective tests of two types of assessment - multiple choice items and/or essay tests - aimed at reflecting the achievement of competences and the recognition of concepts.
REQUIREMENTS TO PASS THE SUBJECT
To pass the subject, the marks of exam 1 and exam 2 must be, in both cases, equal or superior than 4 out of 10 and the final mark, result of all the continuous evaluation activities or the recuperation exam, must be equal to or higher than 5 out of 10.
TEST OF RECOVERY
A few days after the revision of exam 2, a global recovery test will be carried out which will aim to re-evaluate the students that have failed the subject. This exam will consist of objective tests with multiple choice items and essays, it will encompass the entire subject (including laboratory practices, classroom practices, and seminars), it will have a weight of 100% of the grade, and the mark of this exam will be the final grade. It is understood that the students who, having passed the subject, decide to present themselves to this test, renounce the mark obtained and will obtain the grade of this proof of recovery as grade of the subject.
Students who do not take 67% of the continuous assessment activities (that is, who do not take exam 1 or exam 2) and do not submit to the recovery exam will be considered Non-evaluable.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st examination: Written assessments through objective tests: multiple-choice items | 46 % of the final mark | 3.5 | 0.14 | 1, 2, 3, 7, 4, 5, 6, 9, 8, 10, 14, 11, 13, 12, 15, 16, 20, 19, 18, 17, 22, 21 |
| 2nd examination: Written assessments through objective tests: essay tests | 46% of the final mark | 3.5 | 0.14 | 1, 2, 3, 7, 4, 5, 6, 9, 8, 10, 14, 11, 13, 12, 15, 16, 20, 19, 18, 17, 22, 21 |
| Laboratory and classroom practices attendance | 4% of the final mark | 0.5 | 0.02 | 2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 19 |
| Special seminar attendance | 4% of the final mark | 1 | 0.04 | 1, 2, 3, 7, 4, 5, 6, 9, 8, 10, 14, 11, 13, 12, 15, 16, 20, 19, 18, 17, 22, 21 |
Bibliography
We suggest you the following books. Underlayed the free e-books at the UAB libraries web sites:
Basic books:
- Denise S. Ferrier: Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Bioquímica, 6ª ed. Editorial Wolters Kluwer, 2014.
- John W. Baynes, Marek H. Dominiczak: Bioquímica Médica, 4ª ed. Editorial Elsevier, 2015.
Medium complexity books:
- Stryer L, Berg JM, Tymoczko JL. Bioquímica: Curso básico, 1ª ed. Editorial Reverté, 2014.
- Mathews CK, Van Holde KE, Appling DE., Spencer JA-C. Bioquímica, 4ª ed. Ed Pearson, 2013 (Biochemistry, 4th edition, Pearson, 2012).
- Lieberman M., Marks AD. Bioquímica médica básica. Un enfoque clínico. 4a edició, Wolters Kluwer, 2013 (LIBERMAN M, PEET A. Basic medical biochemistry. A clinical approach, 5th edition, Wolters Kluwer, 2017).
Complete books:
- D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox: Lehninger. Principios de Bioquímica, 6ª ed. Editorial Omega, 2014.
- Voet D., Voet J.G., Pratt C.H. Fundamentos de Bioquímica. 4ª ed. Ed Panamericana, 2016 (Fundamentals of Biochemistry, 4th edition, Willey, 2015)
Digital resources coreesponding to particular contents of the subject will be published at the Moodle platform through the semester.
Software
No specific software required.