After successful completion of the course, students are able to describe the structure and function of the most important groups of biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids). Furthermore, they are able to explain essential molecular biological mechanisms of the cell, the biosynthesis of DNA, RNA & proteins. Using selected examples, students can demonstrate the regulation of metabolism in the cell as well as signal transduction. They will be able to describe the function, nomenclature and properties of enzymes and to describe in detail important anabolic and catabolic metabolic pathways and their regulation (including glycolysis, citrate cycle, respiratory chain, photosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis and nitrogen cycle).

1 1. Basics of Biochemistry

2. Biomolecules

• Proteins
• Nucleic acids
• Carbohydrates and lipids

3. Molecular biology

• Biosynthesis of DNA and RNA (replication, transcription)
• Protein Biosynthesis (Translation)
• Metabolic Regulation & Signal Transduction

4. Metabolism

• General principles
• Biothermodynamics
• Enzyme und Enzymkinetik

4.1 Catabolism 

• Carbohydrate degradation (glycolysis, NADH regeneration, pentose phosphate pathway, pyruvate degradation, respiratory chain, citric acid cycle ...)
• Fat loss (lipases, glycerol degradation, ß-oxidation)
• Protein degradation (proteases, amino acid degradation, urea cycle)

4.2 Anabolism

• Photosynthesis: dark reaction and light reaction
• Gluconeogenesis
• Glycogen metabolism
• Fatty acid biosynthesis
• shuttle systems
• Nitrogen fixation and nitrogen circulation

Lecture with Power point presentation

The lecture is carried out in response to the current Covid measures in distance learning. The commented slide material is made available every week via TUWEL. In addition, question units are offered online after a few units.

A written examination on the lecture contents. The exam lasts 120 minutes and consists of 10 tasks. These tasks are composed of: 

• 10 questions per topic/topic area/randomly distributed over the topics Fundamentals of Biochemistry, Biomolecules, Molecular Biology, Metabolism (Anabolism & Catabolism)

A total of 100 points are awarded for the examination; 100-88 points correspond to "Very Good", 87-75 points to "Good", 74-62 points to "Satisfactory", 61-50 points to "Satisfactory" and less than 50 points to "Unsatisfactory", which means that the examination must be repeated. 

The exam is also offered online via Zoom. On TUWEL you can find appropriate instructions on how the test is technically handled in this case. In terms of content, the online exam does not differ from the face-to-face exam.

Permitted aids in the examination are: none

The power-point presentations of the lecture can be downloaded  from TISS. Literature recommendations are included. ATTENTION: they are not a script of the lecture, they merely serve the purpose to relief the student from drawing the shown slides. It is recommended to make records of the lecturers explanations.

Basic knowledge in chemistry, particularly on organic chemistry (natural components)