Universidad de Jaén

Content description:

Structure and function of biomolecules. Replication, transcription, translation and modification of genetic material. Bioenergetics and intermediary metabolism. Techniques and experimental methods in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Use of bassic material and apparatus of biochemical laboratory and techniques for determination and separation of biological molecules.

Theoric curriculum:

Introduction to Biochemistry.

Structure and function of proteins. 1. Amino acids. 2. The peptide bond. 3. Structural organization of proteins. 4. Myoglobin and hemoglobin. 5. Fibrous proteins.

Enzymology. 6. Enzyme catalysis. 7. Enzyme kinetics. 8. Enzyme inhibition. 9. Regulation of enzyme activity.

Nucleic acids and biological information flow. 10. Structure of nucleic acids. 11. DNA replication and reparation. 12. Transcription. 13. Protein synthesis.

Bioenergetics and intermediary metabolism. 14. Introduction to metabolism. 15. Thermodinamics of biochemical processes. 16. Structure and biological function of carbohydrates. 17. Glycolisis. 18. Catabolism of pyruvate. 19. Citric acid cycle. 20. Electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. 22. Other metabolic pathways: pentose phosphate pathway, gluconeogenesis, glyoxylate cycle. 23. Structure and function of lipids. 24. Basic metabolic pathways of the metabolism of lipids. Digestion, absorption and transport of lipids. Fatty acids catabolism. Fatty acids synthesis. 25. Metabolism of nitrogenous compounds. 26. Inter-organ metabolic integration.

Laboratory practice: 1. Enzyme purification: ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography, determination of protein concentration, kinetic characterization of the enzyme, SDS-PAGE. 2. Isolation and characterization of RNA. 3. Study of macromolecules structure using Protein-Explorer software.

Problem based learning. 1. Determination of peptide sequences. 2. Enzymology. 3. Nucleic acids: genetic code, transciption, mutations. 5. Thermodinamic and metabolism.

Seminars and other activities: Preparation and exposition of an oral presentation.

Teaching methodology:

a) Academic sessions to the great group of students: 68 hours in presence of professor. 

b) Academic sessions to the small group of students: 24 hours of laboratory practice, 16 hours of problem based learning, 8 hours of oral exposition and discussion. 

c) Colective tutorial sessions: 2 hours. 

Teaching methodology for PATIE student:

a) Tutorial session, proposal of activities and exercises in English (in presence of professor or virtual): 1 hour per week

b) Lecturer (Practice): 1-5 hours per week

c) Seminars: 0-2 h hours per week

d) Homework: 4 hours per week

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

Assessment methodology:

1) Evaluation of theoric curriculum (64%), 2) Evaluation of laboratory practice (16%), 3) Evaluation of problem based learning (16%), 4) Evaluation of oral presentation (4%).

Theory and Problems will be evaluated by continuos evaluation test (eliminatory with mark equal or higher than 5 points) and a final exam (mark higher than 4.0 points is necessary to pass the subject). 

Laboratory Practice will be evaluated by a laboratory exam and the presentation of lab results. A mark equal or higher than 5 points is necessary to pass the exam. The attendance to laboratory sessions and the presentation of the results are compulsory.

The oral presentation will be evaluated by the proffessor in base to the quality of the presentation made.

The student can choose to make the exams in Spanish or English.