Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Biochemistry II
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Questions will be answered in person with the teacher. In need, contact by email for a tutorship.
Samuel Bru (Coordinator): sbru@uic.es
Josep Clotet: jclotet@uic.es
Victor Gimenez: vgimenezes@uic.es
Blanca Lázaro: blazaro@uic.es
Introduction
After having seen the structure and function of the molecules in Biochemistry I, this subject examines the metabolic processes that affect the maintenance of homeostasis in living organisms, studying both the energetic as well as the non-energetic metabolism.
The Biochemistry II course contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, particularly to SDGs 3, 4, 9, and 12, by promoting health and well-being, training professionals with solid knowledge of the molecular foundations of life, fostering scientific and technological innovation in the biomedical field, and raising awareness about the responsible use of biological and chemical resources for the benefit of sustainability and social progress.
Pre-course requirements
Knowledge of the structure and function of molecules, genetics, cell biology and molecular biology.
Objectives
-
Explain the metabolic pathways that lead to the use of the energetic potential of molecules.
- Teach and convey the variations of metabolic pathways in disease states.
- Provide knowledge about the metabolic pathways that give rise to key physiological molecules, such as cholesterol, heme group, or nucleotides.
- Explain and enable the student to understand the metabolic modifications of tumor cells.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN04 - Identify the basic principles of human nutrition and its relationship with illness and well-being, and identify erroneous concepts that have been disseminated in society.
- CP02 - Apply scientific methodology to interpret practical or theoretical data by evaluating situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CP05 - Apply biological foundations in the search for practical solutions to health problems, following ethical standards and scientific rigour and respecting fundamental equal rights between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values inherent in a peaceful society of democratic values that includes inclusive, non-discriminatory language without stereotypes.
- HB02 - Apply the principles of organic chemistry and biochemistry to the study of the structure and function of biomolecules and their metabolism.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Upon completing the course, students should be able to:
● Recognize basic bioenergetic principles applied to metabolism.
● Explain the function of the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
● Describe the synthesis and degradation mechanisms of biomolecules, their regulation, and bioenergetics.
● Identify the connection between different metabolic pathways and their alteration under various physiological conditions.
● Recognize the main metabolic disorders.
● Recall the scientific basis and fundamental mechanisms of nutrient metabolism.
● Identify the synthesis and degradation pathways of molecules not directly involved in energy metabolism, such as heme group, cholesterol, or nucleotides.
● Describe the metabolic adaptations of tumor cells.
Syllabus
Lecture topics. Case methods. Laboratory practices.
T1: Introduction to metabolism. CM1: Oxidative phosphorylation LP1: Energy metabolism
T2: Glycolysis CM2: Differential diagnosis LP2: Non-energy metabolism
T3: Cellular respiration CM3: Journal club: glucokinase LP3: Cancer metabolism
T4: Glycogen CM4: Alcohol metabolism
T5: Gluconeogenesis CM5: Von Gierke
T6: Fatty acids CM6: Mariela’s Bolivian ancestors
T7: Lipoproteins and cholesterol CM7: CPT-1 and β-oxidation
T8: Protein metabolism CM8: The spinning instructor
T9: Heme group metabolism CM9: My friends are vegetarians
T10: Nucleotide metabolism CM10: Nutritional supplements
T11: Integration of metabolism
T12: Cancer metabolism
Teaching and learning activities
In person
1. Lectures – 30 hours: the teaching staff delivers knowledge in the classroom to the whole group of students. Visual support in PowerPoint format is used to accompany the explanations.
2. Case method (CM) – 20 hours: students, working in groups, solve clinical cases provided on that same day by the teaching staff. In the classroom, students present their conclusions with the active participation of the teaching staff, who may introduce new concepts whenever necessary.
3. Practical classes – 10 hours: experimental demonstration in the laboratory on concepts studied in theoretical classes under the supervision of the teaching staff.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1) Students in first sitting:
- Mid-term exam: 20%
- Resolution of case methods: 25%
- Lab practice exam: 10%
- Final exam: 45%
Teachers reserve 10% of the mark to be granted on subjective items such as: involvement, participation, respect for basic standards, etc.
2) Students in 2nd, 4th and 6th sitting:
- Resolution of case methods: 25% (saved from the previous sitting)
- Lab practice exam: 10% (saved from the previous sitting)
- Final exam: 65%
3) Students in 3rd and 5th sitting: marks from continuous assessment (class participation, case methods, lab practices) will be kept in their profiles, although, whenever they wish, students will be able to attend the class again and obtain a new mark. The mark for the mid-term test will not be saved.
General points to consider about the assessment system:
1) In the final exam, a minimum mark of 5 must be obtained in order to be able to average the marks of continuous assessment (case, attitude and partial methods). The exams will be multiple choice with 4 options, counting +1 for the correct answers and -0.33 for the errors. It will also have a development part and the percentages of each part may vary.
2) In adition to (1), to pass the subject it is mandatory to get a minimal average of 5 from all the evaluation items.
3) Lab practice will be evaluated through short multiple-choice tests on the last day of practice.
4) The percentage of the MCs (25%) is divided into 15% from the oral presentations given in each session, and 10% from a multiple-choice test with 20 questions that will be held on the same day as the final exam.
5) 10% of the questions in the test may be related to concepts that have not been explained directly in the sessions but are present in the recommended bibliography as well as in articles, the press or recommended virtual material.
6) Attendance:
- Regular attendance at lectures and case methods is recommended. Attendance at lectures is NOT mandatory but students will have to meet the standards indicated by the teachers. The expulsion of a student from lectures or case methods will have a negative impact on the assessments.
- MCs are NOT mandatory, but you must attend 8 out of 10 to qualify for 100% of the grade. For each additional MC missed, the grade will be multiplied by 0.7 if it is one, 0.6 if it is two, 0.5 if it is three, and so on. Excuses for absences will NOT be accepted.
- In any methodology, strict punctuality will be required, and the teacher may prohibit the student from entering at his or her discretion.
- Attendance at practical lessons is mandatory and students must attend in the assigned groups. The expulsion of a student from the laboratory classroom will mean the automatic failure in the subject, as well as not attending any of the determined sessions.
7) To decide to give an Honours mark, candidates will be given special consideration for their participation and involvement in the different methodologies of the subject, as well as respect for the subject’s basic standards.
8) The improper use of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets or laptops may result in expulsion from the class. The recording and dissemination of either students or teachers during the different lessons is regarded as improper use, as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
Bibliography and resources
- FERRIER. Bioquímica. Ed. Wolters Kluwer.
- MATHEWS. Bioquímica. Ed. Addison Wesley.
- LEHNINGER. Principios de Bioquímica. Ed. Reverté.
- DEVLIN. Bioquímica. Ed. Reverté.
- STRYER. Bioquímica I i II. Ed. Reverté.
Evaluation period
- E1 09/01/2026 A16 18:00h
- E2 17/06/2026 A16 11:00h