The aim of this course is to examine biologically important molecules – namely amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleotides – identify their contributions to metabolic processes emphasized from a medical point of view, examine the structure and function of proteins, and address mechanisms of catalysis performed by enzymes. Furthermore, three basic biochemistry modules are outlined: The enzymology module, encompassing general principles of enzyme kinetics and how enzymes influence efficiency and controllability of chemical processes in biological systems, as well as how they affect structure and regulation of metabolic pathways; the bioenergetics module, addressing the relationships between mass-energy conversions in the human body emphasizing nutrional aspects, also elaborating on thermodynamic aspects of metabolism; and the ’first’ intermediary metabolism module, presenting the salient features of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism which are essential for understanding physiological and pathological processes of the human body. During practices, students apply the theoretical knowledge acquired at lectures as part of case-oriented discussions in an effort to interpret – from a molecular point of view – medically relevant conditions.
More information and course material is available in the Moodle system: https://itc.semmelweis.hu/moodle/