Biochemistry and Biochemical Analysis
Áreas Científicas |
Classificação |
Área Científica |
CNAEF |
Biology and Biochemistry |
Ocorrência: 2023/2024 - 1S
Ciclos de Estudo/Cursos
Sigla |
Nº de Estudantes |
Plano de Estudos |
Anos Curriculares |
Créditos UCN |
Créditos ECTS |
Horas de Contacto |
Horas Totais |
TLQBVF |
6 |
Study Plan |
2 |
- |
7 |
67,5 |
189 |
Docência - Responsabilidades
Língua de trabalho
Portuguese
Obs.: Português suitable for english speaking students
Objetivos
At the end of the curricular unit (UC) the student is expected to have acquired theoretical knowledge about the function and structure of biomolecules belonging to the four most representative classes, such as nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, and to have notions about enzyme kinetics and enzyme assays and to understand the interconnection between the different metabolic pathways and their importance for cellular homeostasis.
In addition to acquiring theoretical knowledge, students should know how to apply it in a laboratory context, including the preparation of typical buffer solutions for biochemical tests, techniques for purifying biomolecules using chromatography and ultrafiltration, dosing techniques for biomolecules (such as carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids), mastering colorimetric methods and spectrophotometric analyses, analytical techniques for separating proteins using acrylamide gel electrophoresis, and analysis and dosing methods based on direct and indirect enzymatic assays.
Resultados de aprendizagem e competências
Not applicable
Modo de trabalho
Presencial
Programa
Theoretical content:1. introduction to biochemistry and its correlation with other sciences
2. Water and aqueous systems in living beings
3. Function and structure of biomolecules: amino acids and proteins, nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), carbohydrates, lipids and lipoproteins.
4. Enzyme kinetics (specific enzyme activity, Michaelis Menten kinetics, enzyme assays)
5. Introduction to metabolism and the main metabolic pathways. The role of ATP in metabolic processes
Laboratory Application Content1. Spectrophotometric methods: assay of nucleic acids or proteins by ultraviolet (UV) absorption and by quantitative colourimetric methods.
2. Preparative methods for separating biomolecules:
- Dialysis; centrifugation, ultracentrifugation and gradient centrifugation.
- Filtration and ultrafiltration techniques and chromatographic methods: hydrophobic interaction, ion exchange, affinity and molecular exclusion. Application in the isolation and purification of proteins and nucleic acids.
- Electrophoretic methods. Separation of proteins on SDS-PAGE gels and nucleic acids on agarose gels.
3. Determination of specific enzyme activity and Michaelis Menten kinetic parameters. Determination of enzymatic activity and quantification methods through direct and indirect enzymatic assays.
Bibliografia Obrigatória
D. L. Nelson; M. M. Cox; Lehninger´s Principles of Biochemistry, W. H. Freeman and Company, 2012. ISBN: 9780716743392
J. M. Berg; J. L. Tymoczko; L. Stryer; Biochemistry, Stryer, W. H. Freeman and Company, 2006. ISBN: 9780716767664
Bibliografia Complementar
A. Quintas; Bioquímica: Organização Molecular da Vid, Lidel, 2008. ISBN: 978972757431
D. Voet; Biochemistry, Voet, Wiley, John Wiley & Sons, 2010. ISBN: 978-0470570951
Métodos de ensino e atividades de aprendizagem
The UC assessment is considered as a whole, integrating the theoretical and practical components. In the theoretical component, an expository-participative methodology is used, privileging the contribution of students. Theoretical-practical classes will encourage students' ability to work independently in solving exercise sheets on the themes presented in the theoretical classes.
In the laboratory practical component, experimental works are developed that cover the contents of the UC and aim to provide the student with skills in the scope of "know-how".
The theoretical/theoretical-practical component is evaluated through tests during the semester, and the experimental work is evaluated through the elaboration of reports using updated and reference bibliography. The theoretical component has a weight of 50% and the practical component another 50% in the overall assessment.
Tipo de avaliação
Distributed evaluation with final exam
Componentes de Avaliação
Designation |
Peso (%) |
Teste |
50,00 |
Trabalho laboratorial |
50,00 |
Total: |
100,00 |
Componentes de Ocupação
Designation |
Tempo (Horas) |
Estudo autónomo |
127,50 |
Frequência das aulas |
30,00 |
Trabalho laboratorial |
37,50 |
Total: |
195,00 |
Obtenção de frequência
Mandatory attendance of 80% in the laboratorial component.
Fórmula de cálculo da classificação final
Theoretical component (TC)
TC: (rade of the
1st test+ grade of the 2nd test)/2
Minimum mark for the average of the two tests 8 values
Laboratorial Component (LC)LC: 0.20 x classroom context +0.50 x Assignment 1 + 0.30 x Assignment 2
Minimum mark for the laboratory component 9.5 values
Final Grade (FG)
Continuous evaluation:
FG = 50 % (TC) + 50% (LC)
Exam only for the theoretical component (TC)
Evaluation by Exam:
FG= 50% Exam + 50% (LC)