The experience of implementing a theoretical tour during student Olympiads in biochemistry

Abstract

Introduction. The biochemistry is very complex, studied mainly in 2-3 courses in higher and secondary educational institutions, which has certain specifics in the preparation of theoretical tasks in the educational process. In this regard, it is important to use non-traditional teaching methods, which include Olympiads.

Goal. Highlighting the problems and prospects for the development of the student Olympiad movement, the formation of a high-quality contingent of students.

Materials and methods. The study is based on the analysis of the theoretical round in the intramural stage of the Olympiad in biochemistry for university students with examples of tasks from different years for the period from 2018 to 2024 academic years.

Results and discussion. The article describes examples of theoretical tasks and provides their analysis. The task of the theoretical round of the full-time stage of the Olympiad included ten tasks. The time during which the participants of the Olympiad completed tasks was 120 minutes; the maximum possible amount of points for completing all tasks was 50 points. Tasks are given for the analysis of oligosaccharides, inactivation of toxic substances, lactose disaccharide intolerance, calculation of the molecular weight of chlorophyll, determination of the relationship of limonene, camphor and squalene, hydrolysis of triglyceride in the human intestine, ways of synthesis of ascorbic acid in animal organisms and plants, calculations during lactic acid fermentation, calculation of the needs of essential amino acids for humans, determination of the structure of the peptide.

Conclusion. Conducting biochemical Olympiads helps to increase the level of competitiveness, expands the boundaries of the Olympiad movement, helps to form a unified educational Olympiad environment in вiochemistry.