Biochemistry

New advances in scientific knowledge mean that the causes of disease are increasingly being formulated at the molecular level. The study of this subject should serve the student to be able to:
1. Understand the biochemical bases of cell function, including the structure and classification of biomolecules.
2. Understand the ways of obtaining the energy necessary to sustain the vital functions of the human body.
3. Analyze the metabolic pathways that the human body uses for the synthesis and degradation of biomolecules.
4. Know the enzymatic reactions of the basic metabolic pathways and their control mechanisms.
5. Understand the biochemical bases involved in metabolic alterations.
6. Acquire knowledge about the cellular and molecular bases of immunology and the types of immunity.
7. Recognize the body's responses to an infection and its regulation.
8. Know the use and indication of health products in nursing care related to biochemical or immunological tests.
9. Recognize and use the terminology related to this subject present in the bibliography or any other type of health text.
10. Develop the student’s capacity for autonomous learning as well as their ability to reason, argue and memorize.

EXPOSITIVE CLASSES: the expository classes will consist of 30 sessions of one hour each.

Block I: Biomolecules
1. Carbohydrates and lipids. Properties, composition and classification. Structure and function.
2. Amino acids and proteins. Properties, composition and classification. Structure and function.
3. Enzymes. Classification. Coenzymes. Specificity. Active center and mechanism of catalysis. Enzyme regulation and inhibition. Vitamins.

Block II: Metabolism
4. Bioenergetics and oxidative metabolism. Basic concepts and integration of metabolism. Catabolism. Anabolism. Metabolic pathways. Oxidation-reduction reactions. High energy phosphorylated compounds.
5. Glycolysis. Phases and energy balance. Regulation. The incorporation of fructose and galactose. Pyruvate fates.
6. Citric acid cycle. Sources and destinations of Acetyl Coenzyme A (Acetyl-CoA). Reactions of the citric acid cycle. Anaplerotic pathways. Regulation. Cori cycle.
7. Electronic transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Cytoplasmic NADH re-oxidation.
8. Gluconeogenesis. Phases and energy balance. Regulation.
9. Biosynthesis and degradation of glycogen. Regulation.
10. Pentose phosphate pathway. Regulation.
11. Catabolism of fatty acids. Sources and mobilization of fatty acids. Fatty acid oxidation. Energy balance. Ketone bodies.
12. Biosynthesis of lipids. Synthesis of fatty acids, triacylglycerides and cholesterol. Regulation and storage. Lipoprotein metabolism.
13. Amino acid metabolism. Transamination. Deamination. Nitrogen transport. Urea cycle. Amino acid degradation pathways. Amino acid biosynthesis.
14. Nucleotide metabolism. Purine synthesis and regulation. Pyrimidine synthesis and regulation. Nucleotide catabolism.

Block III: Specialized tissues and their function
15. Integration of metabolism. Hormone regulation. Tissue specialization. Role of the liver in metabolism.
16. General aspects of the immune system. Types of immunity. Immunoglobulins. Modulation of the immune response. Immunosuppression. Immunotherapy. Autoimmunity. Allergies and hypersensitivity.
17. Antigen detection techniques, rapid tests.
18. Basic interpretation of biochemical tests.
19. Clinical cases.

LABORATORY CLASSES: the classes will be developed in 3 sessions of two hours each. The professor will guide the student in the practical learning of the student in situations of clinical relevance.

GROUP TUTORIAL CLASS: a single two-hour session for the realization/exhibition of student work related to the subject of Biochemistry.

Basic bibliography:
MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY. 5th Edition – 2019. Baynes, J.W. and Dominiczak, M.H. – Publisher: Elsevier
LEHNINGER PRINCIPLES OF BIOCHEMISTRY. 7th Edition- 2018. Nelson, D.L. and Cox, M.M. – Publisher: Omega
BIOCHEMISTRY. basic course. 2nd Edition – 2014. Tymoczko, J.L.; Berg, J.M.; Stryer, L. – Publisher: Reverté


Further reading:
BIOCHEMISTRY. with clinical applications. 7th ed-2015. Stryer, L.; Berg, J.M.; Tymoczko, J.L. – Ed. Reverté
BIOCHEMISTRY: essential concepts. 3rd ed-2021. Feduchi Canosa, E – Pan American Medical Editorial.
BASIC IMMUNOLOGY: functions and disorders of the immune system. 5th ed-2017. Abbas, A.K.; Lichtman, A.H.; and Pillai, S. – Editorial Elsevier
PRINCIPLES OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY. 3rd Edition – 2019. Alvaro González Hernández – Editorial Elsevier

webgraphy
Lab Test online: https://labtestsonline.es/acerca-de-esta-web Website of the Spanish Society of Clinical Chemistry (SEQC), constantly updated and free to consult. This is the Spanish version of the homonymous endorsed by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC). It has information on laboratory tests in different physiological and pathological scenarios. Useful as a clinical reference guide for diagnostic tests offered by a clinical laboratory.
USC Library: https://www.usc.gal/gl/servizos/biblioteca/
Moving and interactive molecular models accompanied by written texts: https://biomodel.uah.es/
Journal of clinical medicine: https://medicinaclinica.org/index.php/rmc/about
Page of the Spanish society of inborn errors of metabolism: https://seeim.org/
Spanish Association for the study of inborn errors of metabolism: https://aecom.com.es/
Teaching resources offered on the page of the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: https://web2020.sebbm.es/web/es/divulgacion/rincon-profesor-ciencias/re…

According to ORDER CIN/2134/2008(*) and the White Paper delivered by ANECA of the Bachelor's Degree in Nursing(**)
• Know and identify the structure and function of the human body*
• Understand the molecular and physiological basis of cells and tissues*
• Relevant knowledge and ability to apply it in the area of basic and life sciences**
• Relevant knowledge and ability to apply it in order to solve problems and make decisions**
BASIC COMPETENCES: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB5
GENERAL COMPETENCES: CG1, CG6, CG7, CG9
TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCES: CT1, CT2, CT7, CT8, CT11, CT12, CT13, CT14, CT16, CT17
SPECIFIC COMPETENCES: CE1
INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCES:
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a team

EXPOSITORY TEACHING
Expository teaching is designed to enhance the autonomous learning of students. In the theoretical classes, the teacher will explain the most relevant aspects of each topic through presentations and videos, emphasizing their clinical relationship, helping students to achieve the objectives of the subject.

LABORATORY
Laboratory practices/seminars will be carried out on topics related to the theoretical contents of the subject and clinical aspects will be discussed. The teacher will guide and direct the student in the learning process. In this teaching, the blackboard, audiovisual media, the virtual space of the subject (Virtual Campus of the USC) will be used.

GROUP TUTORING
In these tutoring classes, students will do group work on topics related to the subject.

The virtual platform of the USC (VIRTUAL COURSE) will serve as a support and complement to the theoretical-practical teaching and as an important element of communication with the student. In it, the theoretical and practical resources necessary for the study of the subject will be made available to the students.

Attendance to theoretical teaching, group tutoring and laboratories is mandatory.

1. The evaluation in the two periods of the academic year will consist of two parts: theoretical part and interactive part (interactive laboratory teaching, group work, and attendance/active participation in class).

2. The theoretical exam will account for 70% of the final grade (maximum of 7 points). The exam will be of a mixed type, with multiple choice questions to cover all the fundamental parts of the subject, and with short and specific questions, which allow assessing the development of reasoning and the assimilation of the subject.

3. The interactive evaluation will account for 30% (maximum 3 points) of the final grade and is divided into three sections in equal parts:
The interactive laboratory classes (maximum 1 point of the final grade) for their evaluation will take into account the work carried out by the student in the laboratory and the results obtained by the same through a presentation of the memory or the realization of a test. The student will not be able to pass the Biochemistry subject if he/she does not carry out the laboratory practices.
Group project (maximum 1 point of the final grade). The students will carry out a group project that must be presented orally and then classified by the teacher.
Attendance and active participation in class (maximum 1 point of the final grade) will also be valued throughout the course.

4. Plagiarism and the improper use of copying techniques or new technologies in carrying out tasks, tests or exams will be duly penalized in the evaluation.

5. In the 2nd exam opportunity (July) of the academic year, only the theoretical exam will be carried out, keeping the grade corresponding to the interactive classes during the primary period. The style, relative weight and the minimum of points required will be maintained as described for the first exam evaluation.
In the case of failure to pass the subject in the academic year, the notes of the interactive parts will be kept during the following four academic years.

6. The student must obtain five points out of ten to pass the subject. It will be necessary to achieve at least 50% of the grade in the evaluation of expository teaching.

1. Hours of face-to-face work in the classroom.
Expository teaching in the classroom...................................30 hours
Laboratory interactive teaching………………........……………….…………6 hours
Teaching group tutorials ...................................................2.25 hours
2. Hours of personal work of the student, not face-to-face.
Individual study................................................................54.25 hours
Elaboration of works, searches, etc......................................20 hours
TOTAL. (1+2) ....................................................................112.5 hours

The use of the recommended bibliography for the study of the material is recommended, as well as the management of different sources of information in the preparation of the group project. It is also important that the student participate in the classroom and use the tutoring hours to receive guidance or resolve any doubts.
Continuous, day-to-day study is recommended. This will facilitate the learning process, favoring a better understanding and assimilation of concepts.
The use of the USC virtual is also recommended, since students can consult their doubts directly with the professor by means of an email. In addition, this page will include materials that can help the student to pass the subject such as diagrams, summaries, as well as sample questions and problems to solve to promote understanding of the material.