Subject

Biochemistry

  • code 07599
  • course 1
  • term Semester 1
  • type FB
  • credits 8

Module: Morfología, estructura y función del cuerpo humano

Matter: Las leyes de la naturaleza: bioquímica

Main language of instruction: Spanish

Teaching staff

Head instructor

Dra. Sara HERNÁNDEZ - shernandez@uic.es

Office hours

The student may consult lecturers about doubts at the end of each class. For enquiries outside of class time, students must make an appointment by email:

Sara Hernández (shernandez@uic.es) 

Reyes Carballar (rcarballar@uic.es)

Pedro Mateos (pmateosaparicio@uic.es)

Alessandro Giampietro (agiampietro@uic.es)

Introduction

In the event that the health authorities announce a new period of confinement due to the evolution of the health crisis caused by COVID-19, the teaching staff will promptly communicate how this may effect the teaching methodologies and activities as well as the assessment.

Nowadays, illness are explained on molecular terms, and the knowledge of Biochemistry and Cell Biology is indispensable for performing a correct analysis of the etiology, diagnosis, therapeutics and evaluation of the therapeutic processes. This is why the future professionals of medicine must know how the human body works on biochemical and molecular basis.

The subject tries to give to the student of medicine a global view about the basic aspects of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and about the scientific methodology in general. The subject is made on a practical way, trying to focus in each topic those concepts and situations that adapts better to the comprehension associated to the professional exercice in the field of medicine.

Pre-course requirements

The subject, do not require any specific administrative condition. Despite this, in order to develop the course successfully, you should have the following knowledge:

- Knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology of second high school level.

Objectives

The student, at the end of this course, must have acquired a series of basic knowledge indicated in the program, but above all must have acquired a new vision of the human body. 

The mission of this subject (and, therefore, its final objective) is for the student to gradually enter into the molecular logic of life and to understand the functioning of the human body as the coordination of myriads of molecules acting at the same time.

Competencies

  • 07 - Understand and recognise normal structure and function of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ and systemetic levels, at different stages of life and in both sexes.
  • 09 - Understand and recognize the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of disease on the structure and function of the human body.
  • CB-5 - To transmit in a clear and unambiguous way to a specialised or non-specialised audience, the results of scientific and technological research projects and innovation from the field of the most advanced innovation, as well as the most important concepts which they are based on.
  • 31 - Understand, critically evaluate and know how to use sources of clinical and biomedical information to obtain, organize, interpret and communicate scientific and health care information.
  • 34 - Ability for critical thinking, creativity and constructive skeptisim with a focus on research within professional practice.
  • 36 - Be able to formulate hypotheses, collect and critically evaluate information for problem solving using the scientific method.
  • 37 - Acquire basic training for research.
  • CB-1 - To have acquired advanced knowledge and demonstrated, within the context of highly specialised scientific and technological research, detailed comprehension based on theoretical and practical aspects and a working methodology from one or more fields of study.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student: - Knows the structure and function of biomolecules.  - Applies the principles of inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry in the study of biomolecules and fundamental biochemical processes.  - Knows the structure and composition of cells.  - Knows the main metabolic routes.  - Understands and integrates metabolic regulation systems.  - Is curious about what is considered normal and knows how to formulate questions and hypotheses.  - Has the basic tools to orally present data, results or theoretical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Syllabus


Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Inorganic composition of the human body (Virtual)

Chapter 3 Why don't bones dissolve? (Clinical Case)

Chapter 4 Muscular contraction: just flat feet? (ABP)

Chapter 5 Water structure and functions

Chapter 6 Organic composition of the human body (Virtual)

Chapter 7 Tingling hands (Clinical case))

Chapter 8 Glucid and lipid stucture and function

Chapter 9 Why does Colacao Turbo dissolve faster and other biochemical stories (Clinical case)

Chapter 10 Structure and function of proteins

Chapter 11 Post-translational changes (Virtual)

Chapter 12 The pig who saved leonard (Clinical case)

Chapter 13 Protein detection methods (Clinical case)

Chapter 14 Cell membranes

Chapter 15 Nerve synapsis: The memory (ABP)

Chapter 16 Organelles (Virtual)

Chapter 17 Cytoskeleton

Chapter 18 Methods of cell study (I) (Clinical case)

Chapter 19 Intracelular transport

Chapter 20 Methods of cell study (II) (Clinical case)

Chapter 21 Cell types (Virtual)

Chapter 22 Cell Pathology I (Clinical case)

Chapter 23 Cel.lular Pathology (II) (Clinical case)

Chapter 24 Cell Pathology (III)... (Clinical case)

Chapter 25 Introduction to metabolism

Chapter 26 Don't warm me up with ecstasy... (Clinical case)(Clinical case)

Chapter 27 Free radicals (Virtual)

Chapter 28 Glucid metabolism I

Chapter 29 Von Gierke (Clinical case)

Chapter 30 Glycogen metabolism (Virtual)

Chapter 31 Glucid metabolism II

Chapter 32 Stress is killing me (Clinical case)

Chapter 33 Lipid metabolism

Chapter 34 CPT1 deficiency (Clinical Case)

Chapter 35 Integration of Energetic Metabolism

Chapter 36 How many days ago you were fasting? (Clinical Case)

Chapter 37 Basic principles of nutrition (Virtual)

Chapter 38 Metabolic pathologies: obesity and aging

Teaching and learning activities


In blended

The following teaching resources will be performed digitally through collaborate:

Lecture (Master class, CM): Explanation of a theoretical topic by the instructor, during 1:30h.

Virtual Education (EV): Online material that the student can consult from any computer, at any time and that will contribute to self-learning concepts related to the subject

 


The following teaching resources will be performed in-class:

Problems Based Learning (PBL): Discussion of a situation in relation to specific issues related to the subject. Individual discussion in a small groups that will finish with a collective group's discussion to draw conclusions. The instructor only leads the conclusions that are elaborated entirely by the students.


Clinical cases (CC): Approach of a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the problem in small groups and later in class the answers are discussed. The instructor actively participates and, if necessary, explain new knowledge to the students.


Practical (P):Experimental demonstration in the laboratory about concepts studied in theoretical classes. Familiarization with the most frequent experimental techniques used at a biochemistry laboratory.

Evaluation systems and criteria


In blended


1) Students in first call:
 

  • 20% Mid-term examination.
  • 55% Final exam.
  • 15% Preparation and participation in clinical cases. 
  • 10% Examination of practical lessons.

 

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

 

3)Students who have sat the examination twice or more:  The assessment criteria will be the same for first and second call. Class participation, practical lessons and clinical case studies grades are saved for the next sitting, so attendance of these sessions is not mandatory.  Students will be allowed to repeat attendance to practices, clinical cases and practical lessons to obtain a new grade if they wish.


General points to consider concerning the assessment 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) Examinations will be in multiple choice format with 4 options of answer, counting +1 the correct answer and -0.25 for each error.

3) 10% of the examination questions may cover concepts not explained in the classroom but contained in the recommended reading.

4) Participation in class means the contribution of interesting ideas or the presentation of pertinent questions that help to improve the quality of the session, whether master's lesson, clinical case or ABP, as well as using the camera during the lessons in the digital teaching.

5) Teachers have the reserve the right to add an extra 10% of excellence to any student.


6) 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.  
  • Attendance to practical lessons is mandatory and students must attend in the assigned groups. 
  • The expulsion of student from lectures, case methods or PBL will have a negative impact on the evaluations. The expulsion of a student from the laboratory classroom will mean the automatic fail of the subject.
7) The improper use of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets or laptops may result failing the subject. 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.

Bibliography and resources

General biochemistry:

- LEHNINGER. Principles of Biochemistry. Ed. Reverté.

- DEVLIN. Biochemistry. Ed. Reverté.

STRYER. Biochemistry I i II. Ed. Reverté.

- MCKEE. Bioquímica. Las bases moleculares de la vida. Ed. MC Graw Hill.

 

Cell biology:

- LODISH. Molecular Cell Biology.  Ed. Panamericana.

- ALBERTS. Molecular Biology of the Cell. Ed. Omega.

 

Metabolism:

- HARVEY, FERRIER. Biochemistry. Ed. Wolters Kluwer.

 

Review of general biology:

- FREEMAN. Biology. Ed. Addison-Wesley.

Evaluation period

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

  • E1 25/01/2021 09:00h
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