Course detail

Biochemistry

FEKT-ABCHAcad. year: 2015/2016

The subject deals with the fundamental concepts of general and physical chemistry, structures and reactions of biochemical organic compounds and the basic metabolism in the eucaryonic cell. The subject also focuses on the biochemistry and pathobiochemistry of organs, on the role of clinical biochemistry in detecting metabolic disorders and on the principles of clinical biochemical methods.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Department

Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno (LF MU)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The course participant is able to:
Explain the importance of basic physico-chemical terms.
Explain the importance of micro- and macro-biogenic elements in living organisms.
Calculate the concentration, pH and osmotic pressure of the solutions.
Describe the structure of organic compounds important for metabolism.
Explain the importance of metabolism of living organisms.
Describe the basic metabolic processes at the cellular and organ level.
Describe the basic principles of clinical and biochemical methodologies and discuss their use.

Prerequisites

Secondary-level knowledge of chemistry and biochemistry.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

The course credit condition of the seminars is to obtain at least 50% points from partial tests and full participation in all seminars. Failure to comply with the above conditions, midterm test of 30 questions is written. A student has to obtain at least 14 points. The credit condition in exercises is full participation in all practical exercises and submission of all protocols to the teacher. Examination consists of a written and an oral part. For the oral procedure is necessary to obtain at least 14 points. The oral examination includes three questions from the general and physical chemistry of metabolism and clinical biochemical methods.

Course curriculum

1. Fundamentals of general and physical chemistry.
2. Macro-and micro-biogenic elements and their significance in the body.
3. The structure of significant organic compounds.
4. Digestion and metabolism of lipides, sacharides and proteins.
5. Functions of enzymes. Vitamins and relationship to cofactors.
6. Biochemical processes characteristic for the main body organs.
7. Clinical-biochemical parameters of metabolic disorders and diagnostics.
8. Methods in clinical biochemy and their importance.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

To provide the students with a fundamental knowledge of the metabolism of cells and body organs and of the role of clinical biochemistry in the study of metabolism and its disorders.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Seminars, laboratory exercises and excursions are mandatory. They can be replaced in consultation with the teacher.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

DOSTÁL, J., H. PAULOVÁ, J. SLANINA a E. TÁBORSKÁ. Biochemie pro bakaláře. 1. vyd. Brno: MU Brno, 2003. ISBN 80-210-3232-4. (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BTBIO-A Bachelor's

    branch A-BTB , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Basic concepts, solutions, calculations of concentrations, electrolytes. Protolytic reactions, acids and bases. The value of pH. Hydrolysis of salt, buffers. Speed of reactions. Osmotic pressure. Energy potentials in chemical reactions. Significant organic compounds and their reactions.
Lipides, sacharides.
Proteins, nucleus acids, vitamins.
Enzymes and cofactors.
General principles of metabolism. Macroergonic compounds. The citrate cycle. The respiratory system.
Metabolism of lipides, sacharides and its disorders.
Metabolism of proteins and aminoacids and its disorders.
The principles of metabolism regulation.
Methods of clinical biochemistry.
Biochemistry of bodily fluids.
Biochmistry of kidneys, liver.

Fundamentals seminar

10 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Calculation of concentrations, pH acids, bases, buffers
Oxidation-reduction reactions. Solubility of salts, caculation from the solubility product
An outline of the methods used in clinical biochemistry (optical methods, chromatographic and electrophoretic methods, immunochemical methods). Biochemical analyzers.
Factors affecting the result and interpretation of clinical-biochemical examination. Enzymes in clinical diagnostics.
Examples of clinical-biochemical data evaluation in diagnostics.

Laboratory exercise

14 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Preparation of solutions. Dosing of fluids, calibration of pippeters; accuracy and corectness.
Measurement and calculation of pH solutions of acids, bases and salts, hydrolysis, pH-meters
Fluid chromatography - types and basic techniques, gas chromatography
Spectrophotometry
Excursion to a clinical-biochemical laboratory
Examination of the metabolism of lipides and cholesterol (Reflotron, Akutrend, photometry)
Examination of proteins in blood serum (determination of albumin, electrophoresis, ELISA, latex-agl, test)
Analysis of urine (pathological components, drugs, microalbuminurite, SDS/elfo proteins)

Field trip

2 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer