Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - Barcelona

Biochemistry II

• code 13474
• course 2
• term Semester 1
• type FB
• credits 6

Matter: BIOCHEMISTRY AND NUTRITION

Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English

Head instructor

Dra. Andrea Natalia RICCO - anricco@uic.es

Other instructors

Dra. Sara HERNÁNDEZ - shernandez@uic.es
Dra. Helena MULEY - helenamuley@uic.es
Dra. Núria MASIP - nmasip@uic.es

Office hours

Questions will be answered in person with the involved instructor. Appointments can be made by email: 

Natalia Ricco: anricco@uic.es 

Sara Hernández: shernandez@uic.es 

Helena Muley: helenamuley@uic.es

After having seen the structure and function of the molecules in Biochemistry I, this subject describes the metabolic processes that affect the maintenance of homeostasis of living organisms, studying both the energetic  as well as the non-energetic metabolism.

• To know the metabolic pathways that lead to the use of the energy potential of the molecules.
• To understand the variations of metabolic pathways in disease state.
• To know the metabolic pathways that give rise to important molecules of the physiology of the organism, such as cholesterol, heme group or nucleotides.
• To know the metabolic modifications of tumor cells.

• To apply the principles of organic chemistry and biochemistry in the study of the structure and function of biomolecules and their metabolism.
• To recognize the basic biological concepts and the language of biomedical sciences in the state of health.
• To develop the appropriate organizational and planning capacity at the moment.
• To develop the ability to solve problems.
• To develop the capacity for analysis and synthesis.
• To know how to communicate, make presentations and write scientific papers.
• Tp be able to carry out autonomous learning.

At the end of the course, the student:

• Knows the basic bioenergetic fundamentals applied to metabolism.
• Knows the functioning of the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
• Knows the mechanisms of synthesis and degradation of biomolecules, their regulation and bioenergetic.
• Identifies the connection that exists between different metabolic pathways and their alteration in various physiological situations.
• Knows the main metabolic pathologies.
• Knows the scientific basis and fundamental mechanisms of nutrient metabolism.
• Knows the routes of synthesis and degradation of molecules that are not directly involved in energy metabolism, such as the heme group, cholesterol or nucleotides.
• Knows the metabolic adaptations of tumor cells.

Unit 1. Introduction to metabolism

ENERGETIC METABOLISM 

Unit 2. Electron chain transport

Unit 3: Glycolysis

Unit 4. Glucose absorption and transportation

Unit 5. TCA cycle

Unit 6: Glycogen metabolism

Unit 7. Gluconeogenesis

Unit 8: Fatty acid absorption and mitochondrial transportation

Unit 9. Syntesis and degradation of fatty acids

Unit 10. Ketonic bodies

Unit 11. Metabolism's integration

Unit 12. Pentose phopshate pathway

NON ENERGETIC METABOLISM

Unit 13: Metabolism of amnoacids and urea's cycle 

Unit 14: Metabolism of cholesterol and lipoproteins

Unit 15: Heme group metabolism

Unit 16: Nucleotide metabolism

Unit 17: Cancer metabolism

Lectures: 50-minute presentation of a theoretical topic by the instructor. Visual support is used in power point format to help to understand the explanations. 

Clinical cases or case methods (MC): statement of a real or imaginary situation. Students work in small groups on the questions asked by the instructor (or in active interaction with the instructor) and the answers are discussed. The instructor actively interact with the sutdents and if necessary, explains new concepts. In these classes discussions includes content that deepens the topics covered in lectures or explore new topics. The MCs have the same importance and the same weight of questions in the final exam. 

Virtual education (EV): online material available on Moodle, that the student can consult from any computer, at any time and that will contribute to the self-learning of concepts related to the subject. The virtual material is part of the content of the subject and will be evaluated in the final exam. 

Laboratory practices (PL): Practical sessions where experimental techniques related to the syllabus worked in lectures, are developed. Familiarization with the most common experimental resources in a Biochemistry laboratory. Attendance is mandatory and the content of the practical sessions will be assessed directly in the final exam.

1)     Students in first call: 

• Participation in class and attitude: 10%
• Mid-term exam: 20%
• Resolution of case methods: 10%
• Final exam: 60% 

2) Students in second call: same criteria as in the first call. 

3) Students repeating the subject: participation in class/attitude and case methods grades will be keep in their profiles, although whenever they wish, students will be able to repeat class attendance and obtain a new grade.

General points to consider about the evaluation system:  

1) In the final exam, a minimum grade of 5 must be obtained in order to be able to average the marks of continuous evaluation (case, attitude and partial methods). 

2) The exams will be of type test with 4 options, counting +1 the correct answers and -0.25 the errors. 

3) 10% of the questions of the test may be related to concepts that have not been explained directly in the session but that are present in the recommended bibliography as well as in articles, press or virtual material recommended. 

4) Participation in class means the contribution of interesting ideas or the raising of pertinent issues that help to improve the quality of the session

5) Attendance: 

• Regular attendance to lectures and case methods is recommended. Lecture’s attendance is not mandatory, but students will have to follow the standards indicated by the instructors. The expulsion of student from lectures or case methods will have a negative impact on the evaluations.
• Attendance to case methods is optional. In order to be evaluated in this part of the subject it is mandatory to attend a minimum of 8 sessions and do the activities proposed in the session.
• Attendance to 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 fail of the subject.

6) The improper use of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets or laptops may result in class expulsion. Misuse is understood as recording and dissemination of students or teachers during the different lessons as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.

- HARVEY. 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.

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:

• E1 30/10/2019 16:00h A03
• E1 17/01/2020 14:00h A12
• E2 30/06/2020 11:00h