OVERVIEW

The students attending this class are supposed to learn the main notions of chemistry studying  those chemical processes involved il the biological systems at a molecular level. For this reason these basics are usually combined with examples from biological chemistry in order to facilitate the incoming study of biochemistry, physiology, pathology and so on.

AIMS AND CONTENT

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 between atoms/molecules as a function of the chemical features of the elements involved. To know the chemistry and physics of water for understanding why it is the most important biological solvent. To learn the significance of pH and buffer solutions also from a quantitative point of view. To understand why the 3D structure of a given molecule is determined by both strong and weak bonds, and its exposed groups are important for reactivity in biological conditions. To learn the basic thermodynamic/energetic  and kinetics principles for their application in biochemistry. To understand  how the energy exchange underlying all the chemical and biochemical reactions is involved in the processing of biomolecules and in the preservation of 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.

Lessons, depending on the indications given by the School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences,  will be held either in presence or online. In this second case, lessons will be synchronous and recorded.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

General chemistry: atoms, quantum numbers, electron configuration, Periodic table  and recurring chemical properties. Strong and weak bonds. Water.  measure of atomic and molecular weight, definition of mole. Methods of measurement  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 and osmolarity. Basic concepts of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics. Free Gibbs energy and coupled reactions. ATP and biological systems. 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 (monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccarides: starch, cellulose, glycogen). 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

As a general rule students can  use any university-level text of general and organic chemistry not necessarily in italian language.  A list of  suggested books in italian language is reported below:

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

Concerning the module of Propaedeutic Biochemistry, usually texts of organic chemistry contain  parts specifically  dedicated to preliminary notions of biochemistry. The students attending this course can also refer to the files of the lessons published on Aulaweb. If lessons will be provided online, then the attending students will have the possibility to download the recorded lessons.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ROBERTA DE TULLIO (President)

MONICA AVERNA

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination including also brief written exercises and examples of organic molecules having biological interest.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination has a duration of  20-30 minutes and consists generally  of three main questions. The first one concerns general chemistry, the second organic chemistry and the third one propaedeutic biochemistry