Chemistry and Introductory Biochemistry
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
To provide to the students the necessary tools in order to known the structure and the behavior of biologically active molecules.
- The main types of bonds, the different classes of reactions, focusing on the kinetic and thermodynamic aspects will be the topics of general chemistry lessons. The organic chemistry lessons will be addressed to the understanding of the characteristic reactions of the functional groups, particularly focusing on the stereochemical aspects.
The introductory biochemistry topics will explain the behavior of molecules of biological interest (carbohydrates, lipids, aminoacids and proteins, nucleic acids).
- The main types of bonds, the different classes of reactions, focusing on the kinetic and thermodynamic aspects will be the topics of general chemistry lessons. The organic chemistry lessons will be addressed to the understanding of the characteristic reactions of the functional groups, particularly focusing on the stereochemical aspects.
The introductory biochemistry topics will explain the behavior of molecules of biological interest (carbohydrates, lipids, aminoacids and proteins, nucleic acids).
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the students:
- will learn the behavior of biologically active molecules, gaining the appreciation of the chemical transformations in the life processes.
- will know the characteristic reactions of different functional groups present in the organic compounds, mainly in the biomolecules, in order to understand from a molecular point of view the biological, physiological and pathological processes, which will be topics of more advanced courses.
- will understand the connections between chemistry and biology;
- will connect and integrate the theoretical knowledge about different chemical and biochemical concepts and apply them to subsequent course of biological chemistry and of other courses in the degree program;
- will expose and explain, in a simple but rigorous manner, the chemical and biological phenomena or processes that are the basis of life.
- will learn the behavior of biologically active molecules, gaining the appreciation of the chemical transformations in the life processes.
- will know the characteristic reactions of different functional groups present in the organic compounds, mainly in the biomolecules, in order to understand from a molecular point of view the biological, physiological and pathological processes, which will be topics of more advanced courses.
- will understand the connections between chemistry and biology;
- will connect and integrate the theoretical knowledge about different chemical and biochemical concepts and apply them to subsequent course of biological chemistry and of other courses in the degree program;
- will expose and explain, in a simple but rigorous manner, the chemical and biological phenomena or processes that are the basis of life.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Linea Policlinico
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 7
Informal teaching: 16 hours
Lessons: 60 hours
: 12 hours
Lessons: 60 hours
: 12 hours
Professor:
Colombo Diego Rodolfo
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Colombo Diego RodolfoLinea San Donato
Course syllabus
Chemical bonds in organic compounds: molecular and hybrid orbitals; Carbon hybridization and molecular geometry; Hybridization of N and O atoms; The polar covalent bond; The coordinative bond and coordination compounds of biological interest; Intermolecular forces.
Solutions: The solution process; The solubility of ionic and molecular compounds in water; How to express the concentration of a solution; Colligative properties of aqueous solutions: osmosis and its biological importance
Chemical reactions and equilibrium: The chemical equation of a reaction; Reversible and irreversible reactions; Chemical equilibrium; The meaning of the equilibrium constant value; Parameters that affect the equilibrium or the rate of a reaction; Le Chatelier's principle.
Acids, bases and buffer solutions: The dissociation constant (Kw) of water
The concentration of H+ in pure water as a reference value for acid/base or neutral solution; The pH scale; Strong and weak acids and bases; The Brønsted-Lowry theory: acids and conjugated bases; Solutions of weak acids and bases and related equilibrium constants (Ka and Kb); pH of strong and weak acid/base solutions; Polyprotic acids; Organic acid and bases; Composition and properties of a buffer solution; The Henderson-Hasselback equation; The pH of a buffer solution; Ionic equilibria in physiological solutions.
Redox reactions: Oxidation and reduction; Properties of oxidants/reductants; The oxidation states of the carbon atom; Redox reactions in organic chemistry
Principles of electrochemistry: Energy related to redox reactions. Electrical work and free energy change; Galvanic cells: the Daniell's cell; Standard reduction potentials; The Nernst equation and the biochemical redox potentials.
Chemical reactions: kinetics: The reaction diagram; Rate and order of a reaction; Activation energy; Catalysis
Chemical reactions: energy: Thermodynamic and thermochemistry; The state quantities H and G: endothermic/exothermic reactions, endergonic/exergonic reactions; Spontaneity of a reaction; Bioenergetics.
Introduction to organic chemistry: Definition of functional group; Structure, nomenclature and chemico-physical properties of organic compounds.
Isomers and stereoisomers: The different forms of isomerism: constitutional, configurational, conformational; Optical isomerism. Enantiomers. Configuration: D/L and R/S systems; Diasteroisomers.
Alkanes, halogen compounds and amines: Reactivity of alkanes; Reactivity of alkyl halides; The nucleophilic substitution; Chemical reactions of amines
Alkenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols and thioalcohols: The double bond and its reactivity; Structure of conjugated dienes; Reactions of aromatic compounds; Chemical properties and reactivity of alcohols; Thioalcohols
Carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids and polyfunctional compounds: Chemical reactions of aldehydes and ketones; The keto/enol tautomerism; The aldol condensation; Properties and reactivity of carboxylic acids; Carboxylic acid derivatives: ester, thioester, amides, anhydrides; Structures, stereochemistry and reactivity of some polyfunctional compounds in the Krebs cycle
Carbohydrates: Structure, stereochemistry and reactivity of monosaccharides; Important monosaccharides: aldoses and ketoses; Monosaccharide configuration. Epimers; The mechanism of ring closure of a non-cyclic carbohydrate, mutarotation, anomers; Chemical properties of monosaccharides: oxidation, reduction, formation of esters; The glycosidic bond: O- and N-glycosides; Structure of disaccharides; Reducing and non-reducing sugars; Polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, glycogen): structure and biological role.
Amino acids and proteins: Classification and nomenclature of amino acids; Amino acids equilibrium in aqueous solution. Amphoteric character: isoionic point. Isoelectric point; The amide bond and its chemical properties; Peptides and proteins; Structure and function of proteins; The intramolecular forces that contribute to the three-dimensional structure of a protein; Denaturation of proteins.
Lipids: Structure and nomenclature of fatty acids; Triglycerides, glycerophospholipids and phosphatidyl choline; Formation, hydrolysis and assembly of lipids; Steroids; Glycolipids
Nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleic acids: Structure and properties of nucleoside and nucleotides; Nucleic acid bases; Nucleic acids: RNA and DNA: chemical features and structure; The phosphodiester bond; The structural features of AMP, ADP and ATP, and the reactivity of the triphosphate group in ATP; Nucleotide coenzymes: NAD and NADH
Solutions: The solution process; The solubility of ionic and molecular compounds in water; How to express the concentration of a solution; Colligative properties of aqueous solutions: osmosis and its biological importance
Chemical reactions and equilibrium: The chemical equation of a reaction; Reversible and irreversible reactions; Chemical equilibrium; The meaning of the equilibrium constant value; Parameters that affect the equilibrium or the rate of a reaction; Le Chatelier's principle.
Acids, bases and buffer solutions: The dissociation constant (Kw) of water
The concentration of H+ in pure water as a reference value for acid/base or neutral solution; The pH scale; Strong and weak acids and bases; The Brønsted-Lowry theory: acids and conjugated bases; Solutions of weak acids and bases and related equilibrium constants (Ka and Kb); pH of strong and weak acid/base solutions; Polyprotic acids; Organic acid and bases; Composition and properties of a buffer solution; The Henderson-Hasselback equation; The pH of a buffer solution; Ionic equilibria in physiological solutions.
Redox reactions: Oxidation and reduction; Properties of oxidants/reductants; The oxidation states of the carbon atom; Redox reactions in organic chemistry
Principles of electrochemistry: Energy related to redox reactions. Electrical work and free energy change; Galvanic cells: the Daniell's cell; Standard reduction potentials; The Nernst equation and the biochemical redox potentials.
Chemical reactions: kinetics: The reaction diagram; Rate and order of a reaction; Activation energy; Catalysis
Chemical reactions: energy: Thermodynamic and thermochemistry; The state quantities H and G: endothermic/exothermic reactions, endergonic/exergonic reactions; Spontaneity of a reaction; Bioenergetics.
Introduction to organic chemistry: Definition of functional group; Structure, nomenclature and chemico-physical properties of organic compounds.
Isomers and stereoisomers: The different forms of isomerism: constitutional, configurational, conformational; Optical isomerism. Enantiomers. Configuration: D/L and R/S systems; Diasteroisomers.
Alkanes, halogen compounds and amines: Reactivity of alkanes; Reactivity of alkyl halides; The nucleophilic substitution; Chemical reactions of amines
Alkenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols and thioalcohols: The double bond and its reactivity; Structure of conjugated dienes; Reactions of aromatic compounds; Chemical properties and reactivity of alcohols; Thioalcohols
Carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids and polyfunctional compounds: Chemical reactions of aldehydes and ketones; The keto/enol tautomerism; The aldol condensation; Properties and reactivity of carboxylic acids; Carboxylic acid derivatives: ester, thioester, amides, anhydrides; Structures, stereochemistry and reactivity of some polyfunctional compounds in the Krebs cycle
Carbohydrates: Structure, stereochemistry and reactivity of monosaccharides; Important monosaccharides: aldoses and ketoses; Monosaccharide configuration. Epimers; The mechanism of ring closure of a non-cyclic carbohydrate, mutarotation, anomers; Chemical properties of monosaccharides: oxidation, reduction, formation of esters; The glycosidic bond: O- and N-glycosides; Structure of disaccharides; Reducing and non-reducing sugars; Polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, glycogen): structure and biological role.
Amino acids and proteins: Classification and nomenclature of amino acids; Amino acids equilibrium in aqueous solution. Amphoteric character: isoionic point. Isoelectric point; The amide bond and its chemical properties; Peptides and proteins; Structure and function of proteins; The intramolecular forces that contribute to the three-dimensional structure of a protein; Denaturation of proteins.
Lipids: Structure and nomenclature of fatty acids; Triglycerides, glycerophospholipids and phosphatidyl choline; Formation, hydrolysis and assembly of lipids; Steroids; Glycolipids
Nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleic acids: Structure and properties of nucleoside and nucleotides; Nucleic acid bases; Nucleic acids: RNA and DNA: chemical features and structure; The phosphodiester bond; The structural features of AMP, ADP and ATP, and the reactivity of the triphosphate group in ATP; Nucleotide coenzymes: NAD and NADH
Prerequisites for admission
Students are presumed to have a good background in high school chemistry and are expected to have previous knowledge on the following subjects:
basic structure of atoms; relative atomic and molecular mass; the mole concept; electronic configuration; the periodic table and the periodic properties of the elements; octet rule and Lewis formula; ionic and covalent bond; balancing of chemical equations; basic stoichiometric calculations.
basic structure of atoms; relative atomic and molecular mass; the mole concept; electronic configuration; the periodic table and the periodic properties of the elements; octet rule and Lewis formula; ionic and covalent bond; balancing of chemical equations; basic stoichiometric calculations.
Teaching methods
Synchronous learning: classroom lectures (60h) and tutorial (16h)
Asynchronous learning (innovative teaching activity - 16h): audio/video and text-based assignments on MyAriel platform
Asynchronous learning (innovative teaching activity - 16h): audio/video and text-based assignments on MyAriel platform
Teaching Resources
Bellini T. Chimica medica e propedeutica biochimica. Editore Zanichelli, Bologna.
Fiecchi A., Galli Kienle M., Scala A. Chimica e Propedeutica Biochimica (Nuova Edizione) Edizioni Edi Ermes, Milano.
E. Santaniello, M. Coletta, F. Malatesta, G. Zanotti, S. Marini - Chimica propedeutica alle scienze bio-mediche. Editore: Piccin.
M. Anastasia, L. Anastasia- Chimica di base per le Scienze della Vita-Vol. I e II. Seconda edizione. Antonio Delfino Editore.
Fiecchi A., Galli Kienle M., Scala A. Chimica e Propedeutica Biochimica (Nuova Edizione) Edizioni Edi Ermes, Milano.
E. Santaniello, M. Coletta, F. Malatesta, G. Zanotti, S. Marini - Chimica propedeutica alle scienze bio-mediche. Editore: Piccin.
M. Anastasia, L. Anastasia- Chimica di base per le Scienze della Vita-Vol. I e II. Seconda edizione. Antonio Delfino Editore.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The grade, expressed as a grade out of 30, will combine the outcome of:
A) PERIODIC GRADED ASSIGNMENTS on the MyAriel platform throughout the course. These test-assignments will have a temporal deadline. The score for these activities will range between 0/30 and 3/30 points.
B) WRITTEN EXAM (9 open open-ended questions, test overall time: 90 minutes, maximum score for each question: 3 points). The written test will give a score of up to 27/30 points.
The results of the exam will be showed to each student and discussed some days after the test and the final grade will be assigned.
There are no on-going tests.
Registration to exams through SIFA is mandatory.
A) PERIODIC GRADED ASSIGNMENTS on the MyAriel platform throughout the course. These test-assignments will have a temporal deadline. The score for these activities will range between 0/30 and 3/30 points.
B) WRITTEN EXAM (9 open open-ended questions, test overall time: 90 minutes, maximum score for each question: 3 points). The written test will give a score of up to 27/30 points.
The results of the exam will be showed to each student and discussed some days after the test and the final grade will be assigned.
There are no on-going tests.
Registration to exams through SIFA is mandatory.
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 7
Informal teaching: 16 hours
Lessons: 60 hours
: 12 hours
Lessons: 60 hours
: 12 hours
Professors:
Compostella Federica Maria, Morelli Laura
Shifts:
Turno
Professors:
Compostella Federica Maria, Morelli LauraEducational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
14.30 - 15.30
via Saldini 50
Reception:
Office hours by appointment via e-mail