Elements of biochemistry

lchm1271  2021-2022  Louvain-la-Neuve

Elements of biochemistry
4.00 credits
30.0 h + 24.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Soumillion Patrice;
Language
French
Prerequisites

The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
Introduction to basic molecules of biochemistry
1. Amino acids and proteins
2. Carbohydrates
3. Lipids and biological membranes
4. Nucleic acids

Function of bio molecules
1. Structure of proteins
2. Enzymes

Notions of molecular biochemistry 
1. Replication of DNA
2. Transcription of DNA into RNA
3. Nucleic acid-protein complexes
4. Biosynthesis of proteins

The practical work illusrates the properties of the main classes of biomolecules studied in the theoretical course and initiatee students to a certain number of techniques used currently in biochemistry.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 The objective is to introduce students to the structure of biomolecules and their function as well as, from a biochemical view, molecular biology.

The course contains :
a theoretical part aimed at presenting the basic concepts of biochemistry ; practical exercises aimed at illustrating the notions seen in the theoretical part.
 
Content
This first biochemistry course will aim at presenting the structure and chemical properties of the main molecular protagonists of the living world.
The different chapters will be devoted to the detailed description of the major classes of biomolecules (amino acids, nucleotides, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, enzymes).
The way in which small molecules are assembled into larger structures (polymers) will also be discussed.
The chemical origin of the main types of covalent and non-covalent interactions between biomolecules will allow a good understanding of the modes of biosynthesis and molecular recognition which are at the heart of the organization and functioning of living organisms.
The behavior of enzymes, the main workers of life, will also be introduced, by describing the catalytic properties and the modes of regulation of these properties.
The course will also provide a first descriptive introduction to the three major processes that are at the heart of the functioning of any living cell, namely replication, transcription and translation.
This introduction will then serve as a basis for presenting the basics of modern molecular biology and recombinant DNA technologies that allow us to manipulate DNA in a surgical manner today.
Five half-day practical sessions are also organized to familiarize the student with the experimental manipulation of the main classes of biomolecules (sugars, lipids, proteins, enzymes).
Teaching methods
Lectures and practical work in the classroom
Evaluation methods
Written exam in session (80% of the final grade), quiz and practical work reports (20% of the final grade).
Bibliography
  • Principles of Biochemistry de Lehninger
  • Biochemistry de Voet et Voet
(éditions récentes)
Teaching materials
  • matériel sur moodle
Faculty or entity
CHIM


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Bachelor in Chemistry