LEARNING OUTCOMES

To provide fundamental information on basic chemistry thus giving  important tools  to understand the mechanisms underlying biochemical reactions.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

To understand the formation of strong and weak bonds that are formed in chemistry as a function of the chemical features of the atoms/molecules involved. To understand the biological importance of water as a solvent and the significance of pH and buffer solutions also from a quantitative point of view. To understand why the 3D structure of a given molecule and its exposed groups are important for reactivity in biological conditions. To learn the basic thermodynamic principles and their application in biochemistry. To learn how different functional groups in organic compounds are involved in reactions important for living organisms

TEACHING METHODS

Teacher-led lessons are delivered to stimulate when possible, the interaction teacher-students on the notions just exposed, by resolving examples/exercises both in class and at home. These exercises are aimed to improve the student's sequential learning. The students have to pass an oral examination.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

General chemistry: atoms, quantum numbers, electron configuration, Periodic table  and recurring chemical properties. Strong and weak bonds, measure of atomic and molecular weight, quantitative expressions of solute concentration in a solution. Acids and bases and how acid-base chemistry is related to chemical equilibrium, Ionic product of water, pH definition and calculation, buffer solutions. Colligative properties, osmosis. Basic concepts of chemical kinetics. Thermodynamics, free Gibbs energy and coupled reactions. Organic chemistry: carbon hybridization, chirality and other types of isomers. How to calculate the oxidation number of an atom. Hydrocarbons, benzene, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and their derivatives: primary chemical reactions including examples concerning important biological molecules (esters, thioesters, acid anhydrides, amides, hemiacetals, acetals). Peptide bond. Resonance structures, keto-enol and enamine-imine tautomerism, aldol condensation and important biochemical examples. Structure of important carbohydrates in living organisms (disaccharides, starch, cellulose, glycogen, glicosaminoglycans). Organic acids and lipids occurring in biological structures (dicarboxylic acids, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, (omega-3, omega-6 nomenclature), phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycolipds, cholesterol, eicosanoids). Amino acids: properties of the different sidechains, ionization state, isoelectric point. Proteins and four levels tridimensional structure. Basic notions of nucleic acids structure.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

General Chemistry: "Chimica" di J.E. Brody e J.R. Holum ed. Zanichelli

Organic Chemistry: "Chimica organica" di Hart H et al. ed Zanichelli

Chemistry and propaedeutic biochemistry:" Chimica e propedeutica biochimica" Bettelheim F.A. et al ed. EdiSES

The students attending this course can also refer to the files of the lessons published on Aulaweb.