Discipline "Molecular biology"

Topic:

Path 1. Introduction to the molecular biology of the cell. The main classes of biomolecules. Transmission of information and energy in biological systems. The concept of "omics" technologies in medicine.

Path 2. Nucleic acids: structure and biological functions. Levels of DNA compactification.

Study questions:

1. The subject of molecular biology. The importance of molecular biology in the medical education system;
2. The main classes of biological molecules: nucleotides, amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids;
3. The concept of biopolymers: nucleic acids, proteins and polysaccharides;
4. Principles of structure and biological functions of nucleic acids;
5. Principles of structure and biological functions of proteins;
6. Definition and biological role of enzymes;
7. The main types of chemical reactions in biological systems;
8. Metabolic pathways. The concept of metabolism. Energy supply of metabolic processes. The role of macroergic compounds (bonds). Ways of using ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) energy;
9. The concept of "omics" technologies in medicine;
10. Structure and functions of nucleic acids. Primary, secondary and tertiary structure of DNA;
11. Main differences between DNA and RNA;
12. Levels of structural organization of chromatin. The role of histone and non-histone proteins in DNA compaction.

Vocabulary (list of mandatory terms and concepts):

• nucleic acids;
• proteins;
• covalent bond;
• ionic bond;
• pH value;
• dehydrogenation;
• dehydration;
• oxidation;
• redox reactions;
• metabolic pathway;
• biopolymers;
• anabolism;
• catabolism;
• hydrophobicity;
• hydrophilicity;
• amphiphilicity (diphilicity);
• catalyst;
• macromolecules;
• metabolism;
• macroergic bonds;
• amino acid;
• nucleotide.