2025
Metabolism and Energetics
Name: Metabolism and Energetics
Code: QUI00358L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Biochemistry
Teaching languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English, Spanish
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
To provide knowledge and understanding on the concepts, principles, methodologies and experimental protocols that characterize primary and secondary metabolism, with higher emphasis on the bioenergetic aspects of oxidative phosphorilation and metabolism of the main nutritional components of living beings, regulation and metabolic integration of these processes with application in biomedicine and biotechnology.
In addition it provides the development of ethical approach both in academic or professional environment.
Skills: Scientific: Knowledge management; Sourcing, selecting, interpreting data; Data evaluation, problem solving; technical: Laboratory techniques; Experimental design; Accuracy; Data analysis; IT skills; self-organization: Planning and Time management; Inter-personal: Teamwork; Decision taking; Learning from others; Sharing; Receiving critique. Communication: Lab report; Oral; Essay; Short exam-type essay answers; Data presentation (oral or written reports).
In addition it provides the development of ethical approach both in academic or professional environment.
Skills: Scientific: Knowledge management; Sourcing, selecting, interpreting data; Data evaluation, problem solving; technical: Laboratory techniques; Experimental design; Accuracy; Data analysis; IT skills; self-organization: Planning and Time management; Inter-personal: Teamwork; Decision taking; Learning from others; Sharing; Receiving critique. Communication: Lab report; Oral; Essay; Short exam-type essay answers; Data presentation (oral or written reports).
Contents
Theoretical sessions: 1. Concepts and experimentation in the study of metabolism. 2. Bioenergetics. 3. Oxidative phosphorilation. 4. Metabolism of the main nutrients. Reaction mechanisms and energetic balancing. 5. Metabolic integration. 6. Metabolic regulation. 7. Hormonal regulation of the metabolism. 8. Evolution of the metabolic pathways. 9. Introduction to nutrition. Diet, energy balance its implications in metabolism.10. Fasting and well fed states. Metabolic unbalance and disease: Obesity, diabetes and exercise.
Practical sessions: Redox reactions; determination of the redox state of a molecule. Nernst equation. Bioenergetics: thermodynamic concepts applicable to metabolism. Energy balance: determination of Gibbs free energy and efficiency of metabolic pathways.
Lab. sessions: ATP production in glicolysis and its regulation. Determination of mitochondria potential. Determination of specific activity of hexokinase and LDH in muscle, kidney, liver and cerebral tissues.
Practical sessions: Redox reactions; determination of the redox state of a molecule. Nernst equation. Bioenergetics: thermodynamic concepts applicable to metabolism. Energy balance: determination of Gibbs free energy and efficiency of metabolic pathways.
Lab. sessions: ATP production in glicolysis and its regulation. Determination of mitochondria potential. Determination of specific activity of hexokinase and LDH in muscle, kidney, liver and cerebral tissues.
Teaching Methods
Teaching/learning is based on individual student work, supported by bibliography recommended by teachers and notes taken by students, either during classes or in individual research. Theoretical classes will be supported by audiovisual techniques and appropriate software for simulating applied concepts. Laboratory classes work in conjunction with and complement the theoretical classes, using the planning and execution of laboratory work to provide practical examples of the content.
Assessment
According to the Internal School Regulations, there will be a continuous assessment system and an exam-based assessment system.
Continuous Assessment System:
Continuous assessment will be based on two written exams administered during the semester, focusing on the theoretical and practical components of the coursework. The grade obtained on the written exams (70%) will be considered, as will the continuous assessment of the laboratory component, taking into account performance in the laboratory and the grade obtained in the presentations/discussions of the proposed practical work (30%). The final grade will be calculated based on the weighted average of the grades obtained in the different modules.
Exam-Based Assessment System:
The exam-based assessment will consist of a written exam to be administered during the exam period specified in the school calendar and will cover all the material taught (70%). The final grade will be calculated taking into account the weighted average of the grades obtained in the written exam (70%) and the classification obtained through continuous assessment in the practical component (30%).
In accordance with Despacho N.º 216/2026, dated 22 July 2026, if deemed necessary to assess the extent to which the student has developed the knowledge and skills required for the course module, the teaching team may call the student to sit an oral examination, in accordance with Article 110(13) of the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora, whilst ensuring compliance with the conditions set out in Article 116(4) and Article 118(1) of the same Regulations.
Where held, the oral examination will account for 20 per cent of the final mark for the course unit, whilst the mark obtained in the written assessment of the theoretical and non-laboratory practical components will account for 50 per cent, with the 30 per cent weighting allocated to the laboratory practical component remaining unchanged. For students not invited to sit the oral examination, the weightings of 30 per cent for the laboratory-based practical component and 70 per cent for the written theoretical assessment remain unchanged.
Continuous Assessment System:
Continuous assessment will be based on two written exams administered during the semester, focusing on the theoretical and practical components of the coursework. The grade obtained on the written exams (70%) will be considered, as will the continuous assessment of the laboratory component, taking into account performance in the laboratory and the grade obtained in the presentations/discussions of the proposed practical work (30%). The final grade will be calculated based on the weighted average of the grades obtained in the different modules.
Exam-Based Assessment System:
The exam-based assessment will consist of a written exam to be administered during the exam period specified in the school calendar and will cover all the material taught (70%). The final grade will be calculated taking into account the weighted average of the grades obtained in the written exam (70%) and the classification obtained through continuous assessment in the practical component (30%).
In accordance with Despacho N.º 216/2026, dated 22 July 2026, if deemed necessary to assess the extent to which the student has developed the knowledge and skills required for the course module, the teaching team may call the student to sit an oral examination, in accordance with Article 110(13) of the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora, whilst ensuring compliance with the conditions set out in Article 116(4) and Article 118(1) of the same Regulations.
Where held, the oral examination will account for 20 per cent of the final mark for the course unit, whilst the mark obtained in the written assessment of the theoretical and non-laboratory practical components will account for 50 per cent, with the 30 per cent weighting allocated to the laboratory practical component remaining unchanged. For students not invited to sit the oral examination, the weightings of 30 per cent for the laboratory-based practical component and 70 per cent for the written theoretical assessment remain unchanged.
Teaching Staff
- Pedro Miguel Cambeiro Barrulas [responsible]
Accreditations and Certifications
