Curricular Unit:			Code:
Biochemistry and Physiology			1080BIFI
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
1	Undergraduate	Nutrition Sciences	5 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
Spring Semester		Portuguese/English	65
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
OA1. It is important that the students are capable to deepen the domains of the main biomolecules metabolism and of the biochemistry and physiology of the endocrine system. OA2. Simultaneously, some clinical situations are introduced, related to changes in metabolic pathways studied or in the endocrine system. OA3. According to the Reference Guide for the Nutritionist Academic Formation of the Order of Nutritionists, the student should acquire nuclear knowledge, specifically, know, understand and describe the processes and metabolic pathways of macro- and micronutrients, as well as the metabolic diseases resulting from imbalances in these processes and pathways; to identify macro- and micronutrients from a chemical, metabolic and food perspective. OA4. The student should also acquire competencies in diagnosis, namely, to collect, record, analyze, interpret and report biochemical data using appropriate methods.
Syllabus:
CP1. Carbohydrate Metabolism (Glycolysis; Gluconeogenesis; Pentose phosphate pathway; Krebs cycle; Electron transfer chain and Oxidative phosphorylation; Glycogen metabolism; Diseases). CP2. Lipid Metabolism (Oxidation and synthesis of fatty acids; Lipogenesis; Mobilization of the lipidic deposits; Ketone bodies; Cholesterol metabolism; Plasmatic lipoproteins; Diseases). CP3. Amino Acid Metabolism (Reactions of transamination and deamination of amino acids; Urea cycle; Synthesis and degradation of amino acids; Diseases). CP4. Metabolic Interrelationships. CP5. Digestion and Gastrointestinal Absorption. CP6. Endocrine System.
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The syllabus comprising the curricular unit (CP1-CP6) meet the requirements that are set out in the objectives (OA1-OA4). The aim of the course is the study of the principal metabolic processes, and of the relation between the organs involved in the maintenance of the metabolic equilibrium. Students should have the capacity of comprehension and acquisition of knowledge in the area of the structural and metabolic Biochemistry and of the endocrine system. Students are also requested to acquire and develop empirical abilities during the contact with new laboratorial methodologies.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
M1. In the theoretical classes the relevant theoretical concepts are exposed, and the student’s study is supervised by consultation of the recommended bibliography. M2. The theoretical-practical classes include the detailed discussion, with the resolution of exercises, about the principal subjects, including the analysis of diseases of the metabolism and of the endocrine system, their symptoms and relation with the causes and the possible treatments. M3. The laboratorial practical classes include the execution of practical works of application of the several theoretical concepts. Assessment: Theoretical and Theoretical-practical (80%): 2 tests (50% each); Laboratorial Practical (20%): 6 mini-tests (15% each) and performance in the laboratory (10%).
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
In a first phase, it is important that the students are capable to assimilate the fundamental aspects of the Biochemistry, and to deepen the domains of the main biomolecules metabolism and of the biochemistry and physiology of the endocrine system (OA1 and OA3). As such, in the theoretical classes the relevant theoretical concepts are exposed, and the student’s study is supervised by consultation of the recommended bibliography (M1). In a second phase, some clinical situations are introduced, related to changes in metabolic pathways studied or in the endocrine system (OA2 and OA3). For that, the theoretical- practical classes include the detailed discussion, with the resolution of exercises, about the principal subjects, including the analysis of diseases of the metabolism and of the endocrine system, their symptoms and relation with the causes and the possible treatments (M2). Students are also requested to acquire and develop empirical abilities during the contact with new laboratorial methodologies (OA4). As such, the laboratorial practical classes include the execution of practical works of application of the several theoretical concepts (M3).
Reading:
Berg, J.M., Tymoczko, J.L., Gatto, G.J., & Stryer, L. (2019). Biochemistry (9ª ed.). W.H. Freeman and Company. Cardoso, I.L., Leal, F., & Lemos, C. (2020). Biochemical Changes During The Human Lifespan. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Cardoso, I.L., & Leal, F. (2013). Manual de Exercícios de Bioquímica. edições UFP. Cardoso, I.L., Moutinho, C., Sousa e Silva, C., Lemos, C., Leal, F., & Silva, P. (2014). Trabalhos Laboratoriais de Bioquímica (3ª ed.). edições UFP. Devlin, T.M. (2010). Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations (7ª ed.). Wiley-Liss. Leal, F., & Cardoso, I.L. (2013). Casos Clínicos em Bioquímica. edições UFP. Leal, F., & Cardoso, I.L. (2018). Sistema Endócrino e Patologias Associadas. Lusodidacta. Mckee, T., & Mckee, J.R. (2016). Biochemistry: the Molecular Bases of Life (6ª ed.). McGraw-Hill. Nelson, D.L., & Cox, M.M. (2017). Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry (7ª ed.). W.H. Freeman and Company.