1. General information
Course:
FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOCHEMISTRY
Code:
13307
Type:
BASIC
ECTS credits:
6
Degree:
341 - UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMME IN BIOCHEMISTRY
Academic year:
2023-24
Center:
501 - FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND BIOCHEMISTRY
Group(s):
40
Year:
1
Duration:
C2
Main language:
Spanish
Second language:
Use of additional languages:
English Friendly:
Y
Web site:
Bilingual:
N
Lecturer:
OSCAR GOMEZ TORRES
- Group(s):
40
Building/Office
Department
Phone number
Email
Office hours
Edificio ICAM. Dcho. 32
QUÍMICA INORG., ORG., Y BIOQ.
926051783
oscar.gomez@uclm.es
Monday and Wednesday. 12-14h
Lecturer:
MARIA RODRIGUEZ PEREZ
- Group(s):
40
Building/Office
Department
Phone number
Email
Office hours
Edif. 6. Dcho 11
QUÍMICA INORG., ORG., Y BIOQ.
5435
maria.rodriguezperez@uclm.es
2. Pre-Requisites
Not established
3. Justification in the curriculum, relation to other subjects and to the profession
The subject of Fundamentals of Biochemistry is the first subject of the branch of Biochemistry that is taught in the Degree in Biochemistry. It provides basic biochemical knowledge required within the degree. The primary objective of the subject is to start the learning base in Biochemistry, addressing the fundamental aspects of the subject that will be developed in depth in subsequent subjects taught later in the development of the Degree. Thus, the course provides the foundations of Structural Biochemistry (Structure and Function of Macromolecules, 2nd year), enzymology (Enzymology, 2nd year) as well as the main metabolic pathways (Metabolism and its Regulation, 3rd year). Likewise, it contributes to the acquisition of basic knowledge for the subjects of: Signaling, Control and Cellular Homeostasis (2nd year), Gene Expression and its Regulation (2nd year), Human Physiology (3rd year), Molecular Pathology (3rd year) and Biochemistry Clinic (3rd year).
It provides the profession with theoretical and practical knowledge (laboratory), abilities and basic skills for the professional development of a graduate in Biochemistry
4. Degree competences achieved in this course
| Course competences | |
|---|---|
| Code | Description |
| E01 | Express themselves correctly in basic biological, physical, chemical, mathematical and computer terms. |
| E09 | Be familiar with the different cell types (prokaryotes and eukaryotes) at the level of structure, physiology and biochemistry and be able to critically explain how their properties are adapted to their biological function. |
| E11 | To have an integrated vision of the cellular functioning of both the metabolism and the gene expression, being able to relate the activity of the different cellular compartments. |
| E15 | Experimentally determine the concentrations of metabolites, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters and the control coefficients of the reactions of the intermediate metabolism. |
| E16 | Know how to design and execute the different steps of a protein and nucleic acid purification protocol of a biological sample, determining the yield and the final purity. |
| E19 | Understand the principles that determine the three-dimensional structure of biological molecules, macromolecules and supramolecular complexes and be able to explain the relationships between structure and function. |
| E21 | Understand the chemical and thermodynamic principles of biocatalysis and the role of enzymes and other biocatalysts in the functioning of cells and organisms. |
| G03 | Be able to collect and interpret relevant data, information and results, draw conclusions and issue reasoned reports on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues in connection with advances in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. |
| T10 | Ability to self-learn and to obtain and manage bibliographic information, including Internet resources |
5. Objectives or Learning Outcomes
| Course learning outcomes | |
|---|---|
| Description | |
| Understand and understand the metabolic compartmentalization and its role in the regulation of metabolism. | |
| To be able to make a general outline of the main catabolic and anabolic routes and to locate the main points of regulation. | |
| Know how to interpret a michaelian kinetics, calculate the parameters of Vmax and Km and distinguish these kinetics from the allosteric ones. | |
| Know the fundamentals of enzymatic catalysis: enzymes and coenzymes. | |
| To know the basic mechanisms of metabolic regulation. | |
| Understand the importance of the aqueous medium in biological systems. | |
| To know the most relevant physiopathological alterations of the metabolism. | |
| Be able to describe the mechanism of ATP synthesis coupled to electronic transport. | |
| To know the participation of the different macromolecules in the structure of the cellular organelles. | |
| To know the main anabolic and catabolic routes related to the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. | |
| Understand the structure and function of the main types of macromolecules. | |
| Additional outcomes | |
| Description | |
6. Units / Contents
-
Unit 1: Molecular components of living beings.
-
Unit 1.1: Introduction to Biochemistry.
-
Unit 1.2: Proteins I
-
Unit 1.3: Proteins II.
-
Unit 1.4: Enzymes I
-
Unit 1.5: Enzymes II
-
Unit 1.6: Enzymes III
-
Unit 1.7: Structure and function of coenzymes.
-
Unit 1.8: Structure and function of carbohydrates and lipids.
-
-
Unit 2: Bioenergetics and Metabolism
-
Unit 2.1: Introduction to metabolism.
-
Unit 2.2: Carbohydrate metabolism.
-
Unit 2.3: Oxidative metabolism.
-
Unit 2.4: Gluconeogenesis and Metabolism of glycogen, glyoxylic acid cycle and glycogen metabolism.
-
Unit 2.5: Lipid metabolism.
-
Unit 2.6: Nitrogen metabolism.
-
-
Unit 3: Laboratory Sessions
-
Unit 3.1: Purification and protein quantification
-
Unit 3.2: Study of the enzymatic activity of catalase
-
Unit 3.3: Purification and quantification of nucleic acids
-
7. Activities, Units/Modules and Methodology
| Training Activity | Methodology | Related Competences (only degrees before RD 822/2021) | ECTS | Hours | As | Com | Description | |
| Class Attendance (theory) [ON-SITE] | Lectures | E01 E09 E11 E15 E16 E19 E21 | 1.6 | 40 | N | N | On the general biochemical fundamentals related to the subject. The professor will give the master class in the classroom, using computer support when he deems it necessary. | |
| Laboratory practice or sessions [ON-SITE] | Practical or hands-on activities | E01 E15 E16 E21 G03 | 0.6 | 15 | Y | Y | Attendance at practices is considered a compulsory and non-recoverable activity in order to pass the subject. The evaluation of the same will be recoverable, either in the extraordinary call or in the special completion. | |
| Practicum and practical activities report writing or preparation [OFF-SITE] | Self-study | G03 | 0.08 | 2 | Y | Y | Preparation of a report of the laboratory practices, where the student must reflect the results obtained, perform the corresponding calculations, describe the possible incidents as well as justify the results obtained. In case of not reaching the minimum grade (4 out of 10), the memory will be recoverable in the extraordinary call. | |
| Other on-site activities [ON-SITE] | Assessment tests | E15 E16 E21 | 0.04 | 1 | Y | Y | Laboratory practice test. To pass the subject it will be an essential requirement to obtain a minimum score of 4 points in this test. | |
| Writing of reports or projects [OFF-SITE] | Group Work | G03 | 0.12 | 3 | Y | N | Group work will be carried out according to the teacher's criteria. This activity is not retrievable or compulsory. | |
| Writing of reports or projects [OFF-SITE] | Group tutoring sessions | E01 E09 E11 E19 E21 T10 | 0.04 | 1 | Y | N | ||
| Mid-term test [ON-SITE] | Assessment tests | 0.08 | 2 | Y | Y | The student will be evaluated by means of a partial test corresponding to the first topic (8 first subtopics) where the knowledge acquired will be valued. This activity will be mandatory and recoverable in the extraordinary call. | ||
| Study and Exam Preparation [OFF-SITE] | Self-study | E01 E09 E11 E19 E21 T10 | 3.36 | 84 | N | N | ||
| Final test [ON-SITE] | Assessment tests | E01 E09 E11 E19 E21 | 0.08 | 2 | Y | Y | In the final test, the student will be evaluated through a partial test corresponding to the second topic (6 second subtopics) where the knowledge acquired will be assessed. This activity will be mandatory and recoverable in the extraordinary call. A minimum of 4 must be obtained to be able to consider the rest of the grades obtained. In case of not reaching this score, the student will have to examine himself in the extraordinary call. | |
| Total: | 6 | 150 | ||||||
| Total credits of in-class work: 2.4 | Total class time hours: 60 | |||||||
| Total credits of out of class work: 3.6 | Total hours of out of class work: 90 | |||||||
As: Assessable training activity Com: Training activity of compulsory overcoming (It will be essential to overcome both continuous and non-continuous assessment).
8. Evaluation criteria and Grading System
| Evaluation System | Continuous assessment | Non-continuous evaluation * | Description |
| Practicum and practical activities reports assessment | 5.00% | 5.00% | evaluation of practicums. To pass the course it will be essential to obtain a minimum score of 4 points out of 10 in this test. |
| Test | 10.00% | 10.00% | practice test. To pass the course it will be essential to obtain a minimum score of 4 points out of 10 in this test. |
| Theoretical papers assessment | 5.00% | 0.00% | Assessment of reflective summaries |
| Final test | 40.00% | 80.00% | The student will be evaluated through a test corresponding to the second block (6 second topics), where the knowledge acquired will be valued. This activity will be mandatory and recoverable in the extraordinary call. To be able to overcome this activity, it will be essential to obtain a minimum score of 4 points out of 10.In any case, this activity is mandatory and to be able to overcome it it will be essential to obtain a minimum grade of 4 points out of 10. In case of not exceeding it, it will be recoverable in the extraordinary call. |
| Mid-term tests | 40.00% | 0.00% | The student will be evaluated by means of a partial test corresponding to the first block (8 first topics) where the acquired knowledge will be valued. This activity will be mandatory and recoverable in the extraordinary call. In order to pass this activity, it will be essential to obtain a minimum grade of 4 points out of 10. |
| Total: | 100.00% | 95.00% |
According to art. 4 of the UCLM Student Evaluation Regulations, it must be provided to students who cannot regularly attend face-to-face training activities the passing of the subject, having the right (art. 12.2) to be globally graded, in 2 annual calls per subject , an ordinary and an extraordinary one (evaluating 100% of the competences).
Evaluation criteria for the final exam:
-
Continuous assessment:The final mark for the course will be calculated taking into account the percentages in the table above. It will be an essential requirement to obtain a minimum of 4 in the practical exam and in the theory exam for the rest of the qualifications to be counted. The theory exam is ONLY passed with a 4. Therefore, in case of obtaining a mark lower than 4 in the practical or theory exam, the student will have to take the exam in the second retake exam. The subject will only be passed with a mark equal to or greater than 5 by adding all the assessable activities.
-
Non-continuous evaluation:The final mark for the course will be calculated taking into account the percentages in the table above. The theory exam is ONLY passed with a 4. Therefore, in the case of obtaining a mark lower than 4 in the practical or theory exam, the student will have to take the exam in the second retake exam. The subject will only be passed with a mark equal to or greater than 5 by adding all the assessable activities.
Specifications for the resit/retake exam:
The final mark for the course will be calculated taking into account the percentages described in the section corresponding to the ordinary call. Again, it will be an essential requirement to obtain a minimum of 4 in the practical exam and in the theory exam for the rest of the qualifications to be counted. The theory exam is ONLY passed with a 4. Therefore, in the event of obtaining a grade lower than 4 in the practice or theory exam, the student will fail the subject. The subject will only be passed with a mark equal to or greater than 5 by adding all the assessable activities.
Specifications for the second resit / retake exam:
To pass this exam there will only be a final test that will include concepts and learning developed both in theory and practical classes, and that will account for 100% of the grade. To take the exam, it will be essential that the laboratory practices have been carried out. In order to count the theory and practice mark, the minimum mark in both cases must be 4. The subject will only be passed with a mark equal to or greater than 5 by adding all the assessable activities.
9. Assignments, course calendar and important dates
| Not related to the syllabus/contents | |
|---|---|
| Hours | hours |
| Unit 1 (de 3): Molecular components of living beings. | |
|---|---|
| Group 300: | |
| Initial date: 31-01-2023 | End date: 15-03-2023 |
| Group 40: | |
| Initial date: 31-01-2023 | End date: 15-03-2023 |
| Comment: Molecular components of living beings | |
| Unit 2 (de 3): Bioenergetics and Metabolism | |
|---|---|
| Group 40: | |
| Initial date: 17-03-2023 | End date: 12-05-2023 |
| Group 300: | |
| Initial date: 17-03-2023 | End date: 12-05-2023 |
| Comment: Bioenergetic and Metabolism | |
| Unit 3 (de 3): Laboratory Sessions | |
|---|---|
| Group 40: | |
| Initial date: 27-02-2023 | End date: 24-03-2023 |
| Group 300: | |
| Initial date: 27-02-2023 | End date: 24-03-2023 |
| Comment: Laboratory practice or sessions | |
10. Bibliography and Sources
