Biochemistry I

- Knowledge of the chemical structure of the molecules that constitute the human body.
- Knowledge of the mechanisms of assembly in supramolecular structures, cells, and tissues of the human body.
- Knowledge of the ways to obtain the energy needed to maintain the vital functions of the human body.
- Knowledge of the metabolic pathways that the human body used for both synthesis and degradation of biomolecules.
- Knowledge of the control mechanisms that coordinate the thousands of chemical reactions that occur in the human body.
- Knowledge of the chemical changes that accompany growth, differentiation, aging, and death of cells in the human body.
- Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the operation of equipment and human body systems and their pathological changes.

MOLECULAR ORGANIZATION OF LIVING ORGANISMS. Scope and objectives of Medical Biochemistry. Biomolecules: techniques of study. Cells and cellular compartments. Composition of both extracellular and intracellular media.
WATER. Molecular structure and properties. The water in living beings. Ionic activity. Acids and bases. Physiological buffers.
PROTEINS. Amino acids: properties and methods of analysis. Structure of proteins. Folding of proteins. Methods for the study of proteins. Proteins with a particular physiological interest.
ENZYMES. Classification of enzymes. Mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis. Kinetics of enzymatic reactions. Regulation of enzyme activity.
LIPIDS AND BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES. Lipids of biological interest. Structure and characteristics of membranes. Transport across membranes.
INTODUCTION TO METABOLISM. Sources of energy and matter for living beings. Features of intermediary metabolism.
METABOLISM OF CARBOHYDRATES. Glycolysis. Gluconeogenesis. Glycogen metabolism. The pentose phosphate pathway.
COMMON PHASES OF OXIDATIVE METABOLISM. Tricarboxylic acid cycle. Mitochondrial electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
METABOLISM OF LIPIDS. Oxidation and synthesis of fatty acids. Metabolism of complex. Metabolism of eicosanoids. Metabolism of cholesterol.
METABOLISM OF LIPOPROTEINS. Composition and structural characteristics of lipoproteins. Lipoprotein functions. Lipoprotein metabolism.
METABOLISM OF AMINO ACIDS. General aspects of amino acid metabolism. Specific amino acid metabolism. Amino acid derivatives of physiological interest.

Basic bibliography:
- Meisenberg G, Simmons WH. "Principios de Bioquímica Médica". Cuarta ed. Barcelona: Elsevier; 2018.
- Ronner P. “Netter. Bioquímica esencial”. Primera ed. Barcelona: Elsevier; 2019.
- Feduchi E, Romero C, Yáñez E, Blasco I, García-Hoz C. "Bioquímica. Conceptos Esenciales". Tercera ed. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 2021.
- Tymoczko JL, Berg JM, Stryer LL, "Bioquímica: Curso básico". Editorial Reverté, Barcelona, 2014.
- Rodwell VW, Bender DA, Botham KM, Kennelly PJ, Weil P. “Harper. Bioquímica ilustrada” 32 edición. 2022 McGraw Hill Education Inc.
- Voet D.; Voet J.G.; Pratt, C.W. “Fundamentos de Bioquímica. La vida a nivel molecular”. 4º edición. Editorial Médica Panamericana, 2016.
- Garzón de la Mora P, González Hita M, Gurrola Díaz CM y cols. “Manual de prácticas de laboratorio de bioquímica”. Tercera ed. Madrid: McGraw-Hill Interamericana; 2014.

Complementary bibliography:
- Baynes JW, Dominiczac MH. "Bioquímica Médica". Sexta ed. Barcelona: Elsevier España; 2024.
- McKee T, McKee JR. “Bioquímica. Las bases moleculares de la vida”. Séptima ed. Madrid: McGraw-Hill Interamericana; 2020.
- Lieberman M., Marks A.D., Peet A. “Marks Bioquímica médica básica : un enfoque clínico”. 5º edición. Barcelona. Wolters Kluwer , 2018
- Herrera E., Ramos M.P., Roca P., Viana, M. “Bioquímica básica”. Elsevier España, S.L. 2014.
- JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments) https://www-jove-com.ezbusc.usc.gal/es/

The student will have remote access to part of the recommended bibliography through the service of the USC University Library.

Specific skills
- Understanding cells structure and functions.
- Biomolecules.
- Metabolism.
- Regulation and metabolic integration.
- Knowing of both instrumentation and basic laboratory techniques.
- Interpreting normal laboratory tests.

General skills
- Understanding the normal structure and function of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and system levels and in the different stages of life and in both sexes.
- Knowing the basis of normal human behavior and its disorders.
- Understanding the effects, mechanisms, and manifestations of the disease on the structure and function of the human body.
- Understanding the causative agents and risk factors that determine the health status and development of disease.
- Understanding the effects of growth, development, and aging on an individual and his social environment.
- Understanding the action, indications, and efficacy of therapeutic interventions based on scientific evidence.
- Being able to formulate hypotheses, collect data, and critically evaluate the information for the solving of problems using the scientific method.
- Acquiring basic training for research activity.

Expository teaching
Expository teaching is designed to enhance the independent learning of students. In the lectures the teacher will present and explain the most important aspects of each topic, helping students to achieve the objectives of the subject. In this teaching they will be used blackboard, audiovisual media, and virtual resources (USC Virtual Campus), together with other means that the teacher may consider appropriate to facilitate the teaching process.

Interactive teaching
There will be seminars and labs on topics related to the theoretical content of the subject and clinical aspects will be also discussed. The teacher will lead and guide the student in the learning process. In this teaching they will be used blackboard, audiovisual media, virtual resources (USC Virtual Campus), and laboratories, together with other means that the teacher may consider appropriate to facilitate the teaching process.

Tutorials
This activity will be used for the clarification of doubts related to the theoretical and practical contents of the subject. This activity will make use of video, computers, and other resources that the teacher deems appropriate.

The evaluation will consist of three parts: final exam, evaluation of the laboratory practical part and evaluation of the interactive classes (seminars).
The final exam will represent 80% of the final grade (maximum of 8 points). This final exam may include multiple choice questions and/or short questions, covering all aspects related to the contents of the subject. The student must demonstrate in the exam an adequate knowledge of each part of the subject. It will be necessary to obtain a minimum of 4 points in the final exam (out of a maximum of 8) to assess the remaining two parts.
The laboratory practical part will represent 10% of the final grade (maximum of 1 point). A written exam of multiple choice questions and/or short questions will be carried out, the attitude, and the work developed by the student in the laboratory practices may also be taken into account in this assessment. Attendance at practices is mandatory in order to pass the subject. The qualification of the practices will be maintained during the two following academic years.
The interactive classes (seminars) will represent 10% of the final grade (maximum of 1 point). This assessment will be done through regular checks of student learning, attendance, and student participation in scheduled activities.
To pass the evaluation the student must obtain a minimum of 4 points (out of a maximum of 8 points) in the final exam and a minimum of 5 points (out of a maximum of 10) in the sum of the final exam and the notes corresponding to the laboratory practical part and the interactive classes. In addition, as indicated above, attendance at practices is mandatory in order to pass the subject.
In cases in which the fraudulent performance of exercises and assessment tests is detected, the provisions of the “Regulations for the evaluation of student academic performance and review of grades” will be applied.

Student class work: 60 hours
Personal work: 90 hours

Attendance at all classroom activities relating to the teaching of the subject.
Monitoring and periodic reading of texts and other materials recommended by the teacher.
Use of tutorials to solve any doubts the student may have in relation to the covered contents.
Finally, students will focus their study on the understanding of the concepts given and their possible application in the medical field, not limiting its attention to simply assimilate information.