Biology, Chemistry and General Biochemistry
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course provides basic notions in general and organic chemistry for understanding cellular mechanisms and in cellular biology, organelle composition, structure, and function, subcellular elements in muscle cell motility. The course also looks into the mechanisms that govern cell division, gene expression, and the biological/reproductive cycles of living organisms. Other topics include the structure and function of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, enzymatic catalysis, cellular energy processes, and metabolic pathways in organisms.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire theoretical knowledge of biological processes at the cell level and the chemical and biochemical events essential for life. Students will gain an understanding of how the structure and composition of cellular elements relate to their function. Other topics include the main components in cell metabolism, their reactions and how they are regulated, and the major biological mechanisms that govern an organism's life cycle.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
LINEA A
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
Biology
- Composition of organic matter and its biological-structural organization.
- Composition, structure and function of the cell membranes.
- Structure and function of the cell organelles.
- Structures and cytoskeletal molecules characterizing motility in muscle cells.
- Function of the plasma membrane: transport, communication, anchoring.
- Basic mechanisms of cell division and gene expression.
- Mitosis and Meiosis.
- Biological/reproductive cycles in organisms.
Chemistry
- The matter: properties and composition, pure substances and mixtures.
- Structure of the atom: atomic number and mass number, relative atomic mass, isotopes, atomic orbitals, quantum numbers and electron configurations.
- The periodic table of elements and periodic properties.
- Chemical bonds: ionic bond, covalent bond (homopolar and heteropolar), dative bond, and metallic bond.
- Ions and Molecules: atomic and molecular weights, mole, and Avogadro's number.
- Weak intermolecular interactions: hydrogen bonds, dipole-dipole attractions, ion-dipole interactions, Van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions.
- Chemical kinetics: activation energy and reaction rate.
- Chemical reactions: equilibrium reaction, reversible and irreversible reactions.
- Control of chemical reactions: effect of temperature, concentration of the reactants, and catalysts.
- Redox reactions.
- Acids and bases: dissociation costants, ionic product of water, pH.
- Acid-base reactions: salts, buffer solutions.
- Organic compounds and hydrocarbons.
- Functional groups of organic compounds: alcohols, thiols, ethers, thioethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amines, and amides.
- Isomerism: cis/trans isomers and enantiomers.
General Biochemistry
- Notes on protein structure. Oxygen-binding proteins: hemoglobin and myoglobin.
- Enzymes.
- Basic aspects of metabolism: anabolism and catabolism.
- ATP and high-energy compounds. ATP synthesis mechanisms: substrate-level phosphorylation, oxidative phosphorylation.
- Carbohydrate metabolism.
- Lipid metabolism.
- Protein metabolism.
- Composition of organic matter and its biological-structural organization.
- Composition, structure and function of the cell membranes.
- Structure and function of the cell organelles.
- Structures and cytoskeletal molecules characterizing motility in muscle cells.
- Function of the plasma membrane: transport, communication, anchoring.
- Basic mechanisms of cell division and gene expression.
- Mitosis and Meiosis.
- Biological/reproductive cycles in organisms.
Chemistry
- The matter: properties and composition, pure substances and mixtures.
- Structure of the atom: atomic number and mass number, relative atomic mass, isotopes, atomic orbitals, quantum numbers and electron configurations.
- The periodic table of elements and periodic properties.
- Chemical bonds: ionic bond, covalent bond (homopolar and heteropolar), dative bond, and metallic bond.
- Ions and Molecules: atomic and molecular weights, mole, and Avogadro's number.
- Weak intermolecular interactions: hydrogen bonds, dipole-dipole attractions, ion-dipole interactions, Van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions.
- Chemical kinetics: activation energy and reaction rate.
- Chemical reactions: equilibrium reaction, reversible and irreversible reactions.
- Control of chemical reactions: effect of temperature, concentration of the reactants, and catalysts.
- Redox reactions.
- Acids and bases: dissociation costants, ionic product of water, pH.
- Acid-base reactions: salts, buffer solutions.
- Organic compounds and hydrocarbons.
- Functional groups of organic compounds: alcohols, thiols, ethers, thioethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amines, and amides.
- Isomerism: cis/trans isomers and enantiomers.
General Biochemistry
- Notes on protein structure. Oxygen-binding proteins: hemoglobin and myoglobin.
- Enzymes.
- Basic aspects of metabolism: anabolism and catabolism.
- ATP and high-energy compounds. ATP synthesis mechanisms: substrate-level phosphorylation, oxidative phosphorylation.
- Carbohydrate metabolism.
- Lipid metabolism.
- Protein metabolism.
Prerequisites for admission
No previous knowledge required.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons in the lecture hall.
Teaching Resources
Reading list
Biology:
Bonaldo, Duga, Pierantoni, Riva, Romanelli. Biologia e Genetica. EDISES IV edizione
Chemistry:
Bertoldi M. et al. Chimica e Biochimica per le Scienze Motorie. EDISES
Bellini T. Chimica medica e propedeutica biochimica. Zanichelli
General Biochemistry:
Di Giulio A., Fiorilli A., Stefanelli C. Biochimica per le Scienze Motorie. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
Bertoldi M. et al. Chimica e Biochimica per le Scienze Motorie. EDISES
Biology:
Bonaldo, Duga, Pierantoni, Riva, Romanelli. Biologia e Genetica. EDISES IV edizione
Chemistry:
Bertoldi M. et al. Chimica e Biochimica per le Scienze Motorie. EDISES
Bellini T. Chimica medica e propedeutica biochimica. Zanichelli
General Biochemistry:
Di Giulio A., Fiorilli A., Stefanelli C. Biochimica per le Scienze Motorie. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
Bertoldi M. et al. Chimica e Biochimica per le Scienze Motorie. EDISES
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is divided into three written sections (Chemistry, Biology, General Biochemistry). The Chemistry and General Biochemistry exams consist of 16 multiple choice questions; the Biology exam is composed of 33 multiple choice questions. A minimum grade of 18/30 points on each of the three sections is necessary to pass, with the final grade based on the average of the grade obtained for the three exam sections.
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY - University credits: 3
BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 63 hours
Shifts:
LINEA B
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
Biology
- Composition of organic matter and its biological-structural organization.
- Composition, structure and function of the cell membranes.
- Structure and function of the cell organelles.
- Structures and cytoskeletal molecules characterizing motility in muscle cells.
- Function of the plasma membrane: transport, communication, anchoring.
- Basic mechanisms of cell division and gene expression.
- Mitosis and Meiosis.
- Biological/reproductive cycles in organisms.
Chemistry
- The matter: properties and composition, pure substances and mixtures.
- Structure of the atom: atomic number and mass number, relative atomic mass, isotopes, atomic orbitals, quantum numbers and electron configurations.
- The periodic table of elements and periodic properties.
- Chemical bonds: ionic bond, covalent bond (homopolar and heteropolar), dative bond, and metallic bond.
- Ions and Molecules: atomic and molecular weights, mole, and Avogadro's number.
- Weak intermolecular interactions: hydrogen bonds, dipole-dipole attractions, ion-dipole interactions, Van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions.
- Chemical kinetics: activation energy and reaction rate.
- Chemical reactions: equilibrium reaction, reversible and irreversible reactions.
- Control of chemical reactions: effect of temperature, concentration of the reactants, and catalysts.
- Redox reactions.
- Acids and bases: dissociation costants, ionic product of water, pH.
- Acid-base reactions: salts, buffer solutions.
- Organic compounds and hydrocarbons.
- Functional groups of organic compounds: alcohols, thiols, ethers, thioethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amines, and amides.
- Isomerism: cis/trans isomers and enantiomers.
General Biochemistry
- Notes on protein structure. Oxygen-binding proteins: hemoglobin and myoglobin.
- Enzymes.
- Basic aspects of metabolism: anabolism and catabolism.
- ATP and high-energy compounds. ATP synthesis mechanisms: substrate-level phosphorylation, oxidative phosphorylation.
- Carbohydrate metabolism.
- Lipid metabolism.
- Protein metabolism.
- Composition of organic matter and its biological-structural organization.
- Composition, structure and function of the cell membranes.
- Structure and function of the cell organelles.
- Structures and cytoskeletal molecules characterizing motility in muscle cells.
- Function of the plasma membrane: transport, communication, anchoring.
- Basic mechanisms of cell division and gene expression.
- Mitosis and Meiosis.
- Biological/reproductive cycles in organisms.
Chemistry
- The matter: properties and composition, pure substances and mixtures.
- Structure of the atom: atomic number and mass number, relative atomic mass, isotopes, atomic orbitals, quantum numbers and electron configurations.
- The periodic table of elements and periodic properties.
- Chemical bonds: ionic bond, covalent bond (homopolar and heteropolar), dative bond, and metallic bond.
- Ions and Molecules: atomic and molecular weights, mole, and Avogadro's number.
- Weak intermolecular interactions: hydrogen bonds, dipole-dipole attractions, ion-dipole interactions, Van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions.
- Chemical kinetics: activation energy and reaction rate.
- Chemical reactions: equilibrium reaction, reversible and irreversible reactions.
- Control of chemical reactions: effect of temperature, concentration of the reactants, and catalysts.
- Redox reactions.
- Acids and bases: dissociation costants, ionic product of water, pH.
- Acid-base reactions: salts, buffer solutions.
- Organic compounds and hydrocarbons.
- Functional groups of organic compounds: alcohols, thiols, ethers, thioethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amines, and amides.
- Isomerism: cis/trans isomers and enantiomers.
General Biochemistry
- Notes on protein structure. Oxygen-binding proteins: hemoglobin and myoglobin.
- Enzymes.
- Basic aspects of metabolism: anabolism and catabolism.
- ATP and high-energy compounds. ATP synthesis mechanisms: substrate-level phosphorylation, oxidative phosphorylation.
- Carbohydrate metabolism.
- Lipid metabolism.
- Protein metabolism.
Prerequisites for admission
No previous knowledge required.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons in the lecture hall.
Teaching Resources
Reading list
Biology:
Bonaldo, Duga, Pierantoni, Riva, Romanelli. Biologia e Genetica. EDISES IV edizione
Chemistry:
Bellini T. Chimica medica e propedeutica biochimica. Zanichelli
Anastasia M., Anastasia L. Chimica di base per le scienze della vita. Antonio Delfino Editore
General Biochemistry:
Di Giulio A., Fiorilli A., Stefanelli C. Biochimica per le Scienze Motorie. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
Biology:
Bonaldo, Duga, Pierantoni, Riva, Romanelli. Biologia e Genetica. EDISES IV edizione
Chemistry:
Bellini T. Chimica medica e propedeutica biochimica. Zanichelli
Anastasia M., Anastasia L. Chimica di base per le scienze della vita. Antonio Delfino Editore
General Biochemistry:
Di Giulio A., Fiorilli A., Stefanelli C. Biochimica per le Scienze Motorie. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is divided into three written sections (Chemistry, Biology, General Biochemistry). The Chemistry and General Biochemistry exams consist of 16 multiple choice questions; the Biology exam is composed of 33 multiple choice questions. A minimum grade of 18/30 points on each of the three sections is necessary to pass, with the final grade based on the average of the grade obtained for the three exam sections.
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY - University credits: 3
BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 63 hours
Shifts:
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
TEAMS platform; LITA, Via fratelli Cervi 93, 20054, Segrate (MI)
Reception:
By appointment
Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale via Fratelli Cervi 93 Segrate (MI)