YACHAY TECH UNIVERSITY

COURSE SYLLABUS: Biochemistry CODE: ECBI1006

(Based on the Regulation on Academic Regime issued by the Higher Education Council (CES in Spanish) and the
Regulation on Academic Regime of Yachay Tech)
1. General Information
A) SCHOOL Biological Sciences and Engineering B) MAJOR Biology, Biomedical Engineering
C) SEMESTER From Fifth period D) ACADEMIC PERIOD October 2021 – February 2022
E) CURRICULAR UNIT Professional F) MODALITY
G) HOURS / CREDITS 6 Hours H) PROFESSORS Fernando Alexis Gonzales Zubiate
I) WEEKLY CLASS SCHEDULE Lectures: J) WEEKLY TUTORING 4 hours upon appointment
THEORY CLASSES
Parallels: Mon, Wed 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
LAB
ECBI1006-DA16-LEC Tuesday 9:30 AM - 12:30 AM
ECBI1006-DB16-LEC

2. Requirements and Co-Requirements

PREREQUIREMENTS CO-REQUIREMENTS
COURSES COURSE CODE COURSES COURSE CODE
Biología II BIOL102

3. Course Description
The course of Biochemistry constitute an introduction to the study of the structure, composition and functions of the molecules that form part of living
cells, as well as the biological processes in which these molecules participate. The course will focus on carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids as
the main biological macromolecules central to the biochemistry of all living organisms. The first part of the course (Unit I) will concentrate on the structure
of these macromolecules, emphasizing on the structure-function relationship. The diversity of these macromolecules in the different domains of life will
be explored. The structure and function of cell membranes as well as enzyme kinetics and catalytic mechanisms of enzyme activity will be included in unit
II. Unit III will deal with the metabolism of these four macromolecules, including degradation (catabolic) and biogenesis (anabolic) pathways, chemical
reactions, enzymatic and hormonal regulation of metabolism, biochemical basis of some metabolic diseases, diversity of metabolic pathways in different
organisms.
The course have three main component units:
Unit I. Macromolecules
Unit II. Biological membranes and enzymes
Unit III. Metabolism
4. Course´s Contribution to professional training
This course will provide the student with a basic understanding of the structure and function of biological molecules and the biochemical processes carried
out by living organisms. This knowledge will set the basis in which more advanced courses from the Biology and Biomedical Engineering careers are built
upon. Working knowledge of biochemical concepts and techniques will also help the student to understand and critically analyze more advanced literature
related to biological and biomedical sciences.
5. Course objectives
The overall goal of this course is to provide an understanding of the biological molecules and the processes they undergo in living organisms. During this
course the student should learn major biochemistry principles, to think critically about biochemical processes and be able to asses and interpret
biochemical data.
Specific objectives
• To understand how the aqueous environment influences biological macromolecules.
• To learn the structures of amino acids, their chemical properties and how they are organized into polypeptides and proteins.
• To understand the basic principles of protein structure and function.
• To learn the structure and classification of the most common carbohydrates and lipids and their roles in biological systems.
• To study the structure and function of nucleic acids and nucleotides
• To introduce key concepts of enzyme kinetics and catalysis.
• To understand the composition and dynamics of cell membranes.
• To learn the biochemical processes dealing with the degradation and synthesis of carbohydrates.
• To understand the process of energy production by oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria.
• To understand the enzymatic and hormonal regulation of carbohydrates.
• To learn how lipids are degraded and synthesized.
• To understand the regulation of lipid metabolism.
• To introduce the concepts of nitrogen assimilation and fixation
• To learn how proteins and amino acids are synthesized and degraded.
• To understand the metabolism of nitrogenous bases and nucleotides
6. Course´s learning results (according to the Learning Outcomes of the Major)

The student will learn the structure and function of biological molecules and the biochemical processes carried out by living organisms.

7. Competencies that students developed in the course

Specific competences
 The student will acquire deep knowledge of the structural, functional and biochemical differences between the biological molecules that constitute
living organisms.
  The student will be able to understand and describe the diversity of biochemical processes in different organisms
 The student will understand and know the mechanisms of metabolic regulation in living cells and organisms
 The student will learn to interpret the results obtained from qualitative and quantitative analysis of different types of macromolecules
General/Transversal
 The student will appreciate the diversity of biochemical processes carried out by different living organisms
 The student will learn to critically assess and discuss the information provided in the scientific literature
 The student will acquire the ability to differentiate between qualitative and quantitative experimental approaches and how they can complement
each other
 The student will learn how to obtain, analyze, and report experimental data
 The student will learn how to organize themselves to work as part of a group
8. Units / Content / Hours / Evaluation method for students

CURRICULAR UNITS CONTENT TEACHING HOURS OF INTERNSHIP AND HOURS OF EVALUATION

HOURS EXPERIMENTAL LEARNING INDEPENDENT METHODS AND
LEARNING CRITERIA
Introduction to the Objectives of the course 1,5 hours 3 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
course Course contents examination,
Evaluation methods Laboratory 1: Introduction midterms.
Long term assignment to pipetting and
spectrophotometry
Introduction to Distinctive properties of living systems. 1,5 hours
Biochemistry Overview of chemical bonds and interactions.
Biomolecules: molecules of life.
Polar nature of Properties of biomolecules. 1,5 hours 3 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
water, acid base Properties of water. examination,
chemistry, buffers Water's role in biological systems. Laboratory 2: Titration midterms.
pH and buffers. curves of week electrolytes
and amino acids
Amino acids Amino acids as building blocks of proteins. 1,5 hours
structure and Acid-base chemistry of amino acids.
function Optical activity and stereochemistry.
Spectroscopic properties.
Separation and analysis of amino acids.
Proteins I: Role of the sequence in protein structure. 1,5 hours 3 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
generalities and the The peptide bond. examination,
peptide bond Laboratory 3: Analysis of midterms.
Proteins II: Peptides and proteins. Carbohydrates
structure Primary structure. 1,5 hours
 Secondary structure: alpha helix, Beta-Pleated
Sheet.
Tertiary and quaternary structure.
Carbohydrates Carbohydrate Nomenclature. 1,5 hours 3 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
Monosaccharides, Oligosaccharides, examination,
Polysaccharides. Laboratory 4: Qualitative midterms.
and quantitative methods
Lipids Fatty Acids, triacylglycerols and 1,5 hours for protein analysis
glycerophospholipids.
Sphingolipids, waxes and terpenes.
Steroids.
Nucleotides Nitrogenous bases. 1,5 hours 3 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
Pentoses of nucleotides and nucleic acids. examination,
Nucleosides. Laboratory 5: DNA isolation midterms.
Nucleotides. and quantification

Nucleic acids Structure of Nucleic acids. 1,5 hours 3 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
Classes of nucleic acids. examination,
Nucleases and restriction enzymes. Laboratory 6: DNA - midterms.
agarose gel electrophoresis
Membranes Membrane structure. 1,5 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
Membrane functions. examination,
Fluid mosaic model. midterms.
Structure of membrane proteins.

Cell surfaces Membranes and cell-surface Polysaccharides. 1,5 hours

Glycoproteins and Proteoglycans.
Membrane Transport.

Enzyme kinetics Catalytic power, specificity, regulation. 1,5 hours 3 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
Introduction to enzyme kinetics. Laboratory 7: Purification examination,
Kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. of carbohydrates and midterms.
proteins from biological
substances
 Enzyme Inhibition. 1,5 hours 3 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
Enzyme specificity Specificity from molecular recognition. examination,
and regulation Controls over enzymatic activity. Laboratory 8: SDS- midterms.
Allosteric regulation of enzyme activity. Polyacrylamide Gel
Allosteric models: Hemoglobin and Myoglobin. Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)
of Proteins
Overview of Basic set of metabolic pathways. 1,5 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
metabolism Catabolism and Anabolism. examination,
Nutrition. midterms.

Glycolysis I Overview of glycolysis. 1,5 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral

Reactions in glycolysis. examination,
Metabolic fates of NADH and pyruvate midterms.
Glycolysis II Anaerobic pathways for pyruvate.
Energetic elegance of glycolysis. 1,5 hours
Other substrates in glycolysis.
Citric acid cycle I Bridging step - Pyruvate Decarboxylase. 1,5 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
Citric acid cycle steps. examination,
Intermediates for other pathways. midterms.
Anaplerotic reactions.
Citric acid cycle II Regulation of the citric acid cycle. 1,5 hours
The glyoxylate cycle.
Electron transport Electron transport at the inner mitochondrial 1,5 hours 3 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
chain membrane. examination,
Details of electron transport. Laboratory 9: Enzymology midterms.
Coupling and the ATP Synthase.
Oxidative Inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation. 1,5 hours
phosphorylation Uncouplers disrupt the coupling.

Gluconeogenesis Overview of gluconeogenesis. 1,5 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral

Gluconeogenesis steps. examination,
Regulation of Gluconeogenesis. midterms.
Metabolism of Degradation of starch.
Polysaccharides Glycogen catabolism. 1,5 hours
Glycogen synthesis.
Control of glycogen metabolism.
 Oxidative Steps. 1,5 hours 3 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
Pentose phosphate Non-oxidative Steps. examination,
pathway Variations on the Pentose Phosphate Pathway. Laboratory 10: midterms.
Mobilization of fats from dietary intake and Fermentation of
adipose tissue. carbohydrates
Fatty acid Beta-oxidation of fatty acids. 1,5 hours
catabolism Odd-carbon fatty acids.
Unsaturated fatty acids.
Other aspects of fatty acid oxidation.
Ketone Bodies.
Fatty acid biosynthesis steps. 1,5 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
Fatty acid synthesis Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase regulation. examination,
Fatty acid biosynthesis in several organisms. midterms.
Biosynthesis of complex lipids: Cholesterol,
Nitrogen bile acids, steroids.
metabolism Nitrogen fixation.
Nitrogen assimilation.
Nitrogen reductase complex 1,5 hours
Amino acid The fate of ammonium.
synthesis Overview of amino acid biosynthesis. 1,5 hours 3 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
The -Ketoglutarate family. examination,
The aspartate family. Oral presentations from midterms.
The Pyruvate Family. student assignments
3-Phosphoglycerate family.
Aromatic Amino Acids.
The urea cycle.
Amino acid Overview of amino acid degradation. 1,5 hours
degradation Glycogenic and ketogenic amino acids.

Synthesis and Overview of nucleotide biosynthesis. 1,5 hours 3 hours 2 hours Quizzes, oral
degradation of The biosynthesis of purines and pyrimidines. examination,
nucleotides - Purine salvage. Laboratory Final exam midterms.
Purines and Purine and pyrimidine degradation.
Pyrimidines
9. Relation between the learning results of the course and Major´s objectives.
MAJOR´S LEARNING RESULTS (ONLY THOSE THAT APPLY CONTRIBUTION OF STUDENT IS REQUIRED TO:
SPECIFICALLY TO THE COURSE) THE COURSE (HIGH- (EVIDENCE OF LEARNING)
MEDIUM-LOW) TO
THE LEARNING
OUTCOMES OF THE
MAJOR
Main topics that students should learn in Biology´s major are
principles of genetics, biochemistry, zoology, botany, molecular
The students will be prepared to do research and work in
A biology, cell biology, histoanatomy, physiology, development Medium
the main topics of Biology
biology, ecology, evolution, microbiology and the statistical and
mathematical tools are available to modern biologists.
The students will be able to explain the structure and
The physical and chemical structure of each biomolecules
B influences the interaction of other structures.
High function of macromolecules, how they are processed and
metabolized by enzymes in the cell.
The students will be able to explain the structure and
Enzymes are the key of metabolism and their study is essential
C to understand the whole metabolism.
High function of macromolecules, how they are processed and
metabolized by enzymes in the cell.
D
E
F
10. Methodology
THEORETICAL CLASSES
LABORATORIES FOR PRACTICAL APPLICATION
SEMESTER ASSIGMENT
GROUP PRESENTATIONS
11. Information Sources (Bibliography)
11.1 Main
Author/s Title of Work Edition Year of Publication Publishing Availability at
house - Country YACHAY TECH
Library
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry 4th Edition Yes

Reginald H. Garrett, Charles M. Biochemistry Fourth 2010 Brooks/Cole No

Grisham Edition Publishing Co
11.2 Complementary
Author/s Title of Work Edition Year of Publication Publishing Availability at
house -Country YACHAY TECH
Library

10.3 Bibliography in the Web

Author/s Title of Work Date of WEB Address Date of Query
uploading to
the WEB
Many web sources to be delivered
according to teaching needs

12. Students´ Evaluation

Midterm Exam (MT) - % and Formative evaluation (FO) - % Laboratory (LAB) - % and Final Exam (FI) - % and method Total - %
method and method method
40% - written exams 20% - report, quizzes 20% - lab reports, written 20% - written exam 100%
exam, assignment

13. General considerations

The penalty for missing practice classes: losing the course, students can miss one practice per semester. Deadlines for papers and exams are fixed.
Plagiarism, copying of documents, homework, exams and others is prohibited.

(*) The percentages of each item are established in Art. 35 of Regulation on Academic Regime of Yachay Tech.
(**) In courses in which there is no laboratory item, place: N/A
Made by: Reviewed by: Approved by:
PROFESSOR/AREA CAREER COORDINATOR DEAN
Fernando Alexis Gonzales Zubiate Fernando Alexis Gonzales Zubiate Markus Tellkamp
Biology career Biology Career ECBI
SIGNATURE AND DATE SIGNATURE AND DATE SIGNATURE AND DATE

Firmado electrónicamente por: Firmado electrónicamente por:

FERNANDO ALEXIS FERNANDO ALEXIS

GONZALES ZUBIATE GONZALES ZUBIATE

November 2021 November 2021