Course aims:

The Biochemistry course aims to provide students with knowledge regarding the main concepts of medical biochemistry, laboratory techniques used in medical practice and research, understanding the role of biochemical processes in explaining biological phenomena, and knowledge of the biochemical reactions that food undergoes during digestion, absorption, and metabolism.
Understanding biochemical structures related to the synthesis and catabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
Screening of patient risk factors for disease

Course Entry Requirements:

General knowledge of Chemistry and Biology at pre-university level

Course contents:

 

1. Introduction to Biochemistry. General chemical composition of the human body. Water in the body and its properties.
2. Mineral salts. Organic biomolecules. Chemical bonds of biomolecules. Molecular organization of living matter.
3. Amino acids: structure and properties. Peptide bond.
4. Proteins: structural organization, roles, classification, separation and identification, denaturation.
5. Hemoproteins (myoglobin, hemoglobin): structure, role, oxygenation curve. Immunoglobulins, fibrinogen, collagen, elastin.
6. Enzymes: general characteristics, classification, catalytic effect, mechanisms of action, specificity, influencing factors, diagnostic enzymes.
7. Vitamins: classification and structure, water-soluble and fat-soluble, biological role, deficiencies.
8. Carbohydrates: definition, classification, isomerism, structure, physical-chemical properties, mono-, di- and polysaccharides.
   9–10. Carbohydrate metabolism.
9. Lipids: classification, structure, properties; fatty acids, acylglycerols, cholesterol, bile acids.
10. Metabolism of fatty acids, triacylglycerols, and cholesterol.
11. Metabolism of chromoproteins, biosynthesis and degradation of hemoglobin (bilirubinogenesis).
12. Biochemistry of hormones: classification, receptors, mechanisms of action of water-soluble and fat-soluble hormones.

Teaching methods:

Lecture, conversation, exemplification.

Learning outcomes:

The Biochemistry course aims to provide students with knowledge regarding the main concepts of medical biochemistry, laboratory techniques used in medical practice and research, understanding the role of biochemical processes in explaining biological phenomena, and knowledge of the biochemical reactions that food undergoes during digestion, absorption, and metabolism.

Learning outcomes verification and assessment criteria:

Written exam + practical exam combined.

Recommended reading:

Atanasiu V., Mohora M., Duță C., Gilca M., Muscurel C., Popa C., Virgolici B., Medical Biochemistry, Part I, Carol Davila University Press, Bucharest, 2017, -.
Lîsîi L., Medical Biochemistry, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, N. Testemițanu, Chișinău, 2007, -.
Anghel A., Şeclăman E., Tămaş L., Sîrbu I.-O., Marcu A, Medical Biochemistry for Medical Students, Victor Babeș Publishing, Timișoara, 2016, -.
-, Medical Biochemistry – electronic course material, -, -, 2023, -.
Champe P. C., Harvey R. A., Ferrier D. R., Lippincott’s Illustrated Biochemistry, Callisto Publishing, -, 2010, -.