Objectives and competences

• knowledge of biological molecules, interactions and dependence of molecular structures and their functions in organisms • ability to interpret fundamental principles of biochemical processes, biosynthesis and metabolism of organic molecules in organisms • integration of biochemical knowledge with other professional subjects in the agricultural area • development of analysis and communication skills in discussions • development of hand skills with hands on biochemical methods

Content (Syllabus outline)

• Introduction to biochemistry, molecular basis of life, biologically important elements • Biological role of water, ions and phospholipid membranes • protein structure: aminoacids, peptides, proteins; primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Examples e.g. myoglobin, hemoglobin; denaturation • structure of other important biomolecules: monosaccharides, complex sugars, nucleotides and nucleic acids, lipids and hormones • enzymes, enzymatic kinetics, classification and regulation of enzymatic activity, co-enzymes, ATP and other nucleotides • metabolism – metabolic pathways, regulation and experimental approaches • metabolism of carbohydrates • respiratory chain and photosynthesis • metabolism of proteins • metabolism of lipids • vitamins and minerals • hormones and homeostasis • intracellular signalling and signalling pathways between cells • influence of heavy metals and xenobiotic substances on the environment and metabolic pathways: bioaccumulation, degradation and secretion • climate change and metabolic adaptation of organisms

Learning and teaching methods

The course is based on lectures that provide basic concepts and hypotheses, as well as students' independent work in small groups. Students perform basic microbiological techniques during laboratory exercises.

Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course students will be able to: • understand the properties and biological functions of macromolecules as a consequence of their molecular structure, • link major metabolic pathways into a comprehensive scheme based on their interdependence, • use their knowledge of regulation of metabolic processes to describe molecular transformations of nutrients in various conditions e.g. during starvation, upon eating, physical activity, • explain the role of various types of hormones in controlling the physiological changes in the body, • to deduce changes in the metabolism of animals and plants from the predicted climate changes, • and control basic biochemical equipment and processes, i.e. automatic pipettes, dilution strategies, centrifugation, spectrophotometry.

Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes

Readings

Voet, D., Voet J.G. Biochemistry, 4th Edition. Publisher: Wiley, 2011. Boyer Rodney, F. Temelji biokemije. Ljubljana, Študentska založba, 2005.

Prerequisits

None.