Biochemistry

Total Hours in Course162

Number of hours for lectures32

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes6

Number of hours for laboratory classes26

Independent study hours98

Date of course confirmation30.03.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Food

Course developer

Pārtikas institūts

Ingmārs Cinkmanis

Dr. sc. ing.

Prior knowledge

Ķīmi1028, Inorganic Chemistry

Ķīmi3016, Organic Chemistry

Course abstract

Students will obtain knowledge, skills and competence on biochemical transformations, their catalysis with enzymes, regulations of transformations by information flow through biochemical signalling, as well as on matter and energy flows through metabolism that will give rise to complexity of life and will form the base for further studies of physiology of animals and veterinary courses.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

The given study course creates base of fundamental knowledge in molecular level for further studies of veterinary, e.g., physiology of animals, pharmacology, and clinical biochemistry and for professional activities – 1., 2., 3., and 4. Test.
The skills to make in use the theoretical knowledge on pathways of metabolism and their regulation in tissues cells in the further veterinary medicine studies and in solving professional problems will be developed during biochemistry studies. These skills assist to create scientifically based hypothesis and their possible solutions on the base of empirical data and recent theoretical cognitions – practical and laboratory works. The competence will be developed to students to be able to explain progress of biochemical reactions on the molecular level both specialists, and clients, as well as to be well-informed expert in the solving complicated problems - colloquium, home works.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Biocatalysis / Safety Instruction / Lab Work 1: Quantitative Determination of Proteins Using the Formaldehyde Method (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
2. Mechanism, Inhibition, and Regulation of Enzyme Activity / Lab Work 2: Effect of Enzyme and Substrate Concentration / Homework 1 (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
3. Bioenergetics. Glycolysis / Lab Work 3: Effect of Amylase on Starch. Enzyme-Substrate Specificity / Test 1: Enzymes (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
4. Carbohydrate Metabolism / Lab Work 4: Assessment of Tissue Respiration Intensity / Lab Work 5: Oxidoreductases (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
5. Pentose Phosphate Pathway. Glycogen Degradation and Biosynthesis / Lab Work 6: Lactose Detection in Milk (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
6. Gluconeogenesis and Interconversion of Monosaccharides / Lab Work 7: Determination of Peroxide Value / Homework 2 (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
7. Lipid Catabolism / Lab Work 8 & 9: Properties of Pancreatic Lipase and Bile. Quantitative Determination of Ketone Bodies / Test 2: Oxidative Phosphorylation, Krebs Cycle (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
8. Lipid Biosynthesis / Lab Work 10: Chromatography of Amino Acids (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
9. Proteolysis. General Metabolic Pathways of Amino Acids / Lab Work 11 & 12: Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Proteins. Gastric Juice (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
10. Specific Metabolic Transformations and Functions of Amino Acids / Lab Work 13: Fractionation of Proteins / Homework 3 (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
11. Metabolism of Nucleic Acids and Nucleotides / Lab Work 14: Hydrolysis and Product Analysis of Yeast Nucleoproteins / Test 3: Metabolism of Lipids and Amino Acids (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
12. Gene Translation and Its Regulation / Lab Work 15: Urea. Uric Acid (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
13. Electrolyte Balance. Buffer Systems of the Body. Substance Transport Across Membranes / Lab Work 16: Extractable Substances of Muscle Tissue / Homework 4 (Lectures – 2 h, Laboratory Work – 2 h).
14. Integration and Regulation of Metabolism. Mechanisms of Hormonal Action / Laboratory Work Defence (Lectures – 2 h, Practical Work – 2 h).
15. Biochemistry of Blood and Nervous Tissue. Metabolism of Nucleic Acids / Laboratory Work Defence (Lectures – 2 h, Practical Work – 2 h).

16. Biochemistry of Muscles and Connective Tissue / Test 4: Protein Biosynthesis. Integration and Regulation of Metabolism / Laboratory Work Defence (Lectures – 2 h, Practical Work – 2 h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

At the times specified by the lecturer, the student completes four tests, successfully carries out practical assignments, conducts sixteen laboratory works, submits their reports, and defends the laboratory work at the end of the course.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Preparation of laboratory reports - compilation and systematization of chemical reactions, observation, conclusions and experimental progress.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Students are permitted to take the exam if all laboratory works has been completed, approved, and defended within the designated timeframes, all practical assignments have been completed, and the four tests have been successfully written.

Compulsory reading

1. Morozovs A., Jākobsone I., Mekšs P. Pārtikas ķīmija. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2008. 208 lpp. 2. Garrett R.H., Grisham C.M. Biochemistry. Australia etc.: Thomson Books/Cole, 2005, p.1086-1169. 3. Miķelsone, V. Bioķīmija: mācību līdzeklis. Jelgava: LLU, 2008. 197 lpp. 4. Comprehensive glycoscience: from chemistry to systems biology. Vol. 3. Biochemistry of glyco-conjugate glycans. Carbohydrate-mediated interactions. Editor-in-chief J.P. Kamerling. Oxford: Elsevier, 2007. 902 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Journal of Animal Science, American Society of Animal Science, Print ISSN 0021-8812, Online ISSN 1525-3163 2. The Veterinary Journal. Elsevier. Published by Elsevier Science. ISSN: 1090-0233. Pieejams LLU FB datubāzē ScienceDirect. 3. GEO: izzināt un saprast pasauli. Rīga: Izdevniecība Lilita Z. ISSN 1691-5046.

Notes

2nd level professional study “Veterinary Medicine”

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