C3181en Biochemistry I

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2024

The course is not taught in Autumn 2024

Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (fasci plus compl plus > 4). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. RNDr. Petr Skládal, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Petr Skládal, CSc.
Department of Biochemistry – Chemistry Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. RNDr. Petr Skládal, CSc.
Supplier department: Department of Biochemistry – Chemistry Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of organic and general chemistry, general biology
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 17 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course deals with the description of the basic components of living matter and the most important chemical processes in the transformations of these substances, mainly from the point of view of the flow of substances and energy. It includes a description of the structure and properties of amino acids and proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. A general description of chemical reactions in the cell is given, especially from the point of view of enzyme catalysis: Enzymes and coenzymes, their properties, structure, active center. Thermodynamics. Basics of enzyme kinetics, inhibition, allostery. Regulation of enzyme activity. The special part includes the most significant transformations of carbohydrates and lipids with an emphasis on the energy side of metabolism. The graduate of the course should acquire basic knowledge about the chemical side of life processes in the cell.
Learning outcomes
The goal of this course in to equip students with the basic knowledge about chemical principles of metabolism of saccharides and lipids, cellular bioenergetics, structure and function of proteins and enzyme catalysis.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction. Chemical composition of living matter. Hierarchy of structures. Amino acids, their formulas, acid-base balances, isoelectric point, optical activity, typical properties and reactivity. Analytical reactions and determination of amino acids. 2. Peptides, peptide bond, primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary structure (alpha-helix, beta-structure, folded sheet, non-repetitive structures, hydropathy, connection between primary and secondary structure, bonds stabilizing secondary and higher structures). Proteins in solution, denaturation. Catalytic function of proteins. 3. Chemical reactions in living organisms. Thermodynamics of enzyme reactions, coupled reactions, macroergic bonds. Reaction kinetics, enzymes as biocatalysts. Active site, catalytic site, cofactors, coenzymes and prosthetic groups, mechanism of action (example of serine proteinases), division of enzymes and their classes. Practical aspects – clinical and technological applications, thermostable enzymes. 4. Coenzymes and vitamins. Coenzymes of oxidoreductases (nicotinamide and NAD, flavins, quinones, hemes, iron sulfur proteins, lipoate,) transferases (ATP, UDP, CDP, biotin, thiamin, coenzyme A, THF, pyridoxal phosphate, vit B12) Vitamin C, lipophilic vitamins (A, D3 , K). 5. Enzyme reaction rate, activity, assay methods. Enzyme kinetics, stationary state. Michaelis-Menten equation, determination of Km and Vlim, transformation number, specificity constant. 6. Basic properties and metabolism of carbohydrates. Monosaccharides, glycosidic bond, higher structures, storage polysaccharides. Splitting and synthesis of polysaccharides (starch, glycogen). Interconversion of monosaccharides. Direct oxidation of glucose, meaning. The pentose cycle. 7. Anaerobic glycolysis, its individual steps, energy balance. Substrate phosphorylation. Alcoholic fermentation. Technological significance, new perspectives. Gluconeogenesis, PEP synthesis. Cori cycle. Oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate. 8. Structure of lipids, simple and complex lipids. Biomembranes. Lipid metabolism, breakdown and synthesis of fats and phospholipids. Breakdown and synthesis of fatty acids. Types and structure of MK synthesis complexes, example of enzyme organization and cooperation. Ketone substances. 9. Citrate cycle, reaction, meaning, energy balance. Anabolic significance, anaplerotic reactions, glyoxylate cycle. Practical applications, technological use. 10. Redox reactions in biochemistry, division, meaning and significance. Respiratory chain, its components (cytochromes, ubiquinone), structure and function of complexes I - IV. 11. Oxidative phosphorylation, chemiosmotic theory, protonmotive force and transmembrane potential. Synthesis of ATP, structure of ATP synthase. Inhibitors of respiration and ATP synthesis, uncouplers, ionophores. Oxidative phosphorylation balance. Alternative respiration. Oxidation and reduction of inorganic compounds (metals, S, etc.) 12. Photosynthesis, light phase, chlorophylls, structure of the photosynthetic center, Electron transfer components (cytochromes, quinones, plastocyanin, ferredoxin), FS-2, FS-1, mechanism of ATP synthesis. The light phase equation and its balance. Dark phase of photosynthesis (Calvin cycle), RUBISCO, CO2 fixation mechanism. Types of photosynthesizing organisms, other methods of capturing light, chemotrophic assimilation C1. Ecological and technological significance of photosynthesis, perspectives.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • VOET, Donald, Judith G. VOET and Charlotte W. PRATT. Fundamentals of biochemistry : life at the molecular level. Fifth edition. Hoboken: Wiley, 2016, xviii, 109. ISBN 9781118918401. info
  • VOET, Donald and Judith G. VOET. Biochemistry. 4th ed. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2011, xxv, 1428. ISBN 9780470917459. info
  • VOET, Donald, Judith G. VOET and Charlotte W. PRATT. Principles of biochemistry. 3rd ed. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2008, xxx, 1099. ISBN 9780470233962. info
Teaching methods
Theoretical lecture.
Assessment methods
Written examination - open answers to the set of questions.
Language of instruction
English
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
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