Course code:
408A2		 Course name:
Introduction to Biochemistry

Academic year:

2024/2025.

Attendance requirements:

There are no requirements.

ECTS:

5

Study level:

basic academic studies, integrated basic and graduate academic studies

Study programs:

Chemistry: 2. year, summer semester, elective (E12H2) course

Biochemistry: 1. year, summer semester, elective (E11B2) course

Environmental Chemistry: 1. year, summer semester, elective (E11S2) course

Chemical Education: 3. year, summer semester, elective (E13P2) course

Teachers:

Tanja D. Ćirković Veličković, Ph.D.
full professor, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, Beograd

Marija M. Stojadinović, Ph.D.
assistant professor, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, Beograd

Assistants:

—

Hours of instruction:

Weekly: two hours of lectures + one hour of labwork (2+0+1)

Goals:

Introducing students to the basics of biochemical processes, the subject of study of biochemistry and the characteristics of working with biological materials.

Outcome:

Students acquire fundamental knowledge of the subject of biochemistry and of the practical aspects of working with biological material.

Teaching methods:

Lectures, practical classes, laboratory classes, workshops.

Extracurricular activities:

—

Coursebooks:

Main coursebooks:

  • R. Karlson: Biokemija (selected chapters)
  • Nada Šerban: Ćelija - strukture i oblici (selected chapters)
  • David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox: Lehninger principles of biochemistry (selected chapters)
  • L. A. Seidman: Basic Laboratory Calculations for Biotechnology (selected chapters)

Supplementary coursebooks:

The material from lectures and practical classes.

Additional material:

http://www.chem.bg.ac.rs/~mnikolic/

  Course activities and grading method

Lectures:

20 points (2 hours a week)

Syllabus:

  • The definition, the subject of study and multidisciplinary character of biochemistry as a branch of life sciences.
  • The specific characteristics of working with biological samples and materials.
  • Cell structure. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Organelles. The role of the cell membrane and the cell wall. Plant and animal cells: similarities and differences.
  • From macromolecules to the organism: the hierarchical organization of living systems.
  • The role of water and minerals in the functioning of living systems.
  • The importance of noncovalent interactions, chemical equilibrium and weak acids and bases for biochemical processes.
  • Thermodynamic aspects of living systems. The exchange of matter and energy in the cell. The transfer of information in living systems.

Labwork:

30 points (1 hour a week)

Syllabus:

  • Fundamentals of working with biological samples and materials. Sample preparation and disposal of biological waste.
  • The main instruments in a biochemical laboratory. The purpose and principles of their operation.
  • Microscope slides containing cells and tissues. Determining the cell concentration and working with cells in a suspension.
  • Determination of unknown concentration of a compound by spectrometry using the standard solution series.
  • Introduction to the basic properties of selected bio(macro)molecules.
  • Preparing solutions and dilutions: experimental aspects.

Colloquia:

20 points

Written exam:

30 points