Biochemistry

The scope of biochemistry. Biocatalysis. Structure and functions of biomembranes. General aspects of metabolism. The pathways for generating energy in organisms. Principles of synthesis of main biochemical components. Integration and regulation of mainstream metabolic pathways. In laboratory works technical skills to use methods for studying biochemistry are gained.

The aim of course to introduce basic knowledge about chemical composition, organization, principles of metabolism in living system.

Students must have taken courses in Inorganic Chemistry and Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry.

1. Introduction. Basic thermodynamics of biological systems. 2. Enzymes and their chemical nature. The role of enzymes. 3. The kinetics of enzyme catalysis 4. Biological membranes. Movement through membranes. Transport mechanisms. 5. Carbohydrates metabolism. Glycolysis. Metabolism of other carbohydrates 6. Citric acid cycle. 7. Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation. 8. Photosynthesis. Calvin cycle. 9. Gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway. 10. Lipid metabolism. Fatty oxidation. Ketone bodies. 11. Biosynthesis of fatty acids. 12. Protein and amino acids degradation. Urea cycle. 13. Nucleotide metabolism. Nucleotide degradation. 14. Biosynthesis of amino acids and nucleotides. Nitrogen fixation. 15. Overview of protein synthesis Practical work (contents): The course includes 10 practical works.

Apply fundamental biochemistry methods to identify and analyze biological systems and objects.