aVLCB02 Introduction to Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry

Faculty of Medicine
spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jana Gregorová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. PharmDr. Jiří Kos, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
MUDr. Michaela Králíková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
RNDr. Hana Paulová, CSc. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Jiří Slanina, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Jindra Smutná, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. RNDr. Josef Tomandl, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Marie Tomandlová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Iva Audy (assistant)
doc. RNDr. Jiří Dostál, CSc. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Josef Tomandl, Ph.D.
Department of Biochemistry – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Supplier department: Department of Biochemistry – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Timetable
Mon 16. 2. to Fri 15. 5. Fri 15:00–16:40 A16/215
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 44 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 44/44, only registered: 13/44
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
The course aims to review the fundamental topics and principles of organic chemistry and biochemistry typically taught at the high school level, which are essential for further study in biochemistry in the general/dentistry medicine study program.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
  • demonstrate a better understanding of the basic principles of organic chemistry and biochemistry that are commonly found in high school curricula.
  • demonstrate an understanding of key concepts through repetition and reinforcement.
  • prepare for further study in biochemistry by establishing a knowledge base and conceptual framework.
    • Key topics
    • Introduction to organic chemistry, mole concept, electrolytes, conjugation and redox pairs, reaction rate, reaction equilibrium, dissociation and ionization
    • Structure of organic compounds, bonding and isomerism, electronegativity and polarity
    • Reaction mechanism of organic reactions, examples of organic reactions: acid-base, redox, substitution, addition and elimination, free radical
    • Hydrocarbons, double bond, aromatic compounds, heterocycles
    • Hydroxy compounds, thiols, amines
    • Carbonyl compounds and their derivatives
    • Carboxylic acids and their oxo and hydroxy derivatives, esters, amides, anhydrides
    • Carbohydrates and stereochemistry, chemical properties, monosaccharides and their derivatives, di- and polysaccharides
    • Fatty acids and lipids, acylglycerols, complex lipids, steroids
    • Amino acids, acid-base properties, reactions, peptides
    • Protein structure, enzymes, cofactors and vitamins
    • Bases, nucleosides, nucleotides, nucleic acid structure
    • Chemistry of replication, transcription and translation
    • Glucose and fatty acid oxidation, citric acid cycle, electron transport chain, oxidative phosphorylation, energy storage
    • Final test
    Study resources and literature
      required literature
    • Essentials of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry (Ed. Dostál J.). Download: https://portal.med.muni.cz/article-623-essentials-of-medical-chemistry-and-biochemistry.html
      recommended literature
    • TIMBERLAKE, Karen C. Chemistry : an introduction to general, organic, and biological chemistry. Global edition. New York: Pearson, 2019, 716 stran. ISBN 9781292228860. info
    Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
    A problem‑based approach to teaching the basic concepts of bioorganic chemistry, building on students' high‑school‑level foundational knowledge. Lecture‑based with an immediate transition to discussion and targeted problem‑solving tasks.
    Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
    Credit. Conditions for giving the course-unit credit: attendance, final test.
    Language of instruction
    English
    Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
    The course is taught annually.
    Teacher's information
    Detailed information on the teaching and completion of the course is provided in the Study Materials in IS MU.
    The course is also listed under the following terms spring 2025.
    • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
    • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/med/spring2026/aVLCB02