00088 - Chemistry

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has a preparation that will enable him to know: a) the basic concepts of general chemistry b) the relationships between the molecular structure and the biological role of the principal compounds present in the human body and the common nutritional factors c) The principles by which these compounds can interact with each other and modify to allow cells to perform basic and specialized functions. In particular, the student is able: to know the properties of water, solutions, acids, bases and salts, with particular reference to inorganic and crystalline structures present in dental tissues; to identify the chemical properties, structural characteristics, molecular organization and spatial orientation, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, referring to the main biological functions they perform in the human body and, in particular, in dental tissues; to interpret cellular energy production processes referring to the laws of thermodynamics; to know the principles governing the mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis; to use the acquired knowledge to define and interpret the biochemical and molecular bases of some important physiological and physiopathological processes concerning the stomatognathic apparatus.

Course contents

General and organic chemistry
The structure and properties of the atom - The structure of the core and the fundamental particles of the atom. Structure of the atom according to the wave mechanics. Wave, orbital, quantum numbers. Self-timing and self-function. Schrodinger equation. Principles of aufbau, Pauli, Hund. Effective nuclear charge. Periodic table of elements and properties. Energy of ionization, electronic affinity, electronegativity and metallic character.
Chemical bonds - Covalent bond. The fundamental state and the value of atoms. Hybridization of carbon orbits. Ionic bond. Ionic valence. Properties of ionic compounds. Hess law and Born-Haber cycle. Components of the reticulated energy: Madelung's energy, electronic repulsion and interaction in London. The metallic bond. Orbital bonds and antilegame. Bands theory. Conductors, insulators and semiconductors. Weak and intermolecular bonds. Dipoles and repulsive forces. Polar, apolar, hydrophilic, hydrophobic and anophytic molecules. Hydrogen bond. Minimum, molecular and structural formulas. Calculation of molars and molar mass.
Material Properties - Gaseous and liquid state of matter. Amorphous and crystalline solid state. Grading of crystallinity. The crystalline lattice and unit cells. The Bravais lattices. Properties and geometry of ionic, covalent, molecular and metallic crystals. Elements of crystallographic symmetry. Asymmetric unit. Permanent (class) and spatial groups. Isomorphism, polymorphism, allotropy, mixed crystals, polycrystalline structures. Defects in crystal structures. Gaseous, liquid and solid solutions.
Chemical Properties of Alloys - Classification of Biomaterials. Metal biomaterials. Fusion and sintering processes. Phase Definition. Single-phase and polyphase alloys. Solid substitutional and interstitial solutions. Status and phase diagrams. One, two or more components diagrams. Liquid-solid systems. Complete miscibility, partial miscibility and immiscibility. Grains and zoned crystals. Leverage rule. Meaning of point, temperature and eutectic alloy.
Chemical and kinetic reactions - Stoichiometric equation. Chemical kinetics. Canonical equation. Collision theory and steric effect. Activation energy and theory of activated complex. Speed constants. Reaction Order. Arrhenius equation. Catalysts.
Chemical equilibrium - Equilibrium and heterogeneous chemical equilibrium. Factors that influence chemical balance. Law of mass action. The principle of Le Chatelier or of the mobile equilibrium. Balances in aqueous solution. Ionic water product. Definition and strength of acids and bases. Ka and Kb. Concept of pH and calculation formulas. Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Mono- and polyprotic acids. Pad solutions. Phosphate buffer and bicarbonate. Neutralization. Molar solubility, ionic product and solubility. Get low soluble. Factors that change solubility. Common ion.
Electrochemistry - Ionic and electrolytic solutions. Ionic force. Conductivity of the electrolytes. Electrical potential, electromotive force. Galvanic cells or cells. Hydrogen electrode. Reduction standard potential. Nernst's equation. Electrolysis. Chemical, electrochemical and microorganism corrosion. Galvanic corrosion, for differential aeration, in crack, for pitting, intra- and intergranular, for erosion and under stress. Passivation of metals. Ideal and practical nobility of metals.
Thermodynamics - First and Second Law of Thermodynamics. Exothermic and endothermic reactions. Definitions of enthalpy and entropy. Free energy. Spontaneous, irreversible, equilibrium, exoergonic and endoergonic processes.
Organic Compounds - Stereoisomers. Enantiomers. Diastereoisomers. Sterochimics D and L. Isomers cis-trans. Monosaccharides. Aldosi and ketosis. Cyclic structures. Constitutional, configurational and conformational isomers. Monosaccharide derivatives: esters, acids, amino sugars. The glycosidic bond. Disaccharide and polysaccharide. Glycosaminoglycans. Saturated, unsaturated and essential fatty acids. Triglycerides. Glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, glycolipids. Cholesterol. Structure, classification and properties of protein amino acids. Essential amino acids. The peptide bond. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Globular and fibrous proteins. Glycoproteins. Proteoglycans.

Dental chemistry in-depth

Crystalline structures of the oral cavity
Ionic equilibria of apatite
Fluoride ion metabolism
Electrochemistry of dental alloys
Chemical-physical properties of dental biofilm
Natural and synthetic sweeteners
Salivary proteins
Chemical laboratory techniques

Readings/Bibliography

R.A. Michelin, A. Munari. Fondamenti di Chimica. CEDAM.

M. Lieberman, A.D. Marks. Biochimica medica. Un approccio clinico. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

D.B. Ferguson. Biologia del cavo orale. Istologia, Biochimica, Fisiologia. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Teaching methods

Frontal learning, laboratory exercises and seminar activities.

Assessment methods

The checking of the Chemistry course program is done through a written test that ensures the acquisition of the knowledge and skills expected, followed by its correction and explanation of the mistakes made in the presence of the student. Exceeding the test is necessary to gain access to the Biochemistry course exam. The attendance rate is verified by appending the signature of the student on the attendance sheet.

Teaching tools

Video projector, PC. Availability of lecture presentations in electronic format.

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Muscari