12208 - Chemistry and Biochemistry

Academic Year 2017/2018

  • Docente: Claudio Muscari
  • Credits: 3
  • SSD: BIO/10
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Dental Hygiene (cod. 8481)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has a preparation that allows him to know: a) the relationships between the molecular structure and the biological role of the main compounds present in the human body and common nutritional factors; B) the principles by which these compounds can interact with each other and modify to allow cells to perform basic and specialized functions; C) the metabolic pathways necessary to meet the cellular energy requirements, with particular reference to the oral cavity tissues; D) some important chemical and biochemical processes that regulate the physiology and pathophysiology of oral cavity tissues and the principles by which they can be counteracted by using proper dental hygiene. 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, amino acids and proteins, referring to the main biological functions they perform in the human body and, in particular, in the oral cavity; to know the principles governing the mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis; to understand the biological strategies and goals that make the various phases of metabolism (anabolism, intermediate metabolism, catabolism) interdependent; to know the processes of production and use of energy in cells with particular reference to fermentative processes; to recognize the mechanisms of regulation of the major enzymatic reactions in relation to cellular energy metabolism; to use the knowledge acquired to define and interpret the biochemical and molecular bases of some important physiological and pathophysiological processes that relate to the oral cavity in relation to dental hygiene.

Course contents

General Chemistry Concepts - Classification of Chemical Solutions. Definition and strength of acids and bases. Acid-base dissociation equilibria. There are approx. Self-Dissolution of Water. PH concept. Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Pad solutions. Get low soluble. Ionic and solubility product. Dermal enamel apatite ionic and solubility product.
Crystalline oral cavity structures - Ionic crystals. Hydroxyapatite and biological apatite. Ion fluoride, fluoride hydroxyapatite and fluoroapatite. Dental calculations. Dental erosion.
Carbohydrates - Monosaccharides. Glycoside bond. Disaccharides. Glycosaminoglycans, starch, glycogen. Natural and synthetic sweeteners: chemical structure, cariogenicity, caloric intake and glycemic index.
Amino acids and proteins - Classification and chemical properties of amino acids. Peptide bond. Protein structural levels. Glycoproteins and proteoglycans. Glication products. Non-enzymatic salivary proteins.
Lipids - Saturated, unsaturated and essential fatty acids. Triglycerides. Phospholipids. Glycolipids. Cholesterol. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes.
Dental Biofilm - Enamel Film. Bacterial wall. Peptidoglycan. Theic acid. Lipopolysaccharides. Electrostatic interactions between bacteria and enamel film. Anaerobiosis of deep biofilm layers.
Enzymes - Classification. Apoenzyme, cofactors and coenzymes. Enzyme-substrate complex. Activation energy. Enzyme kinetics. Michaelis-Menten's equation. Adjustment of enzymatic activity. Allosterismo. Definition of isoenzyme. Salivary enzyme with antibacterial activity.
Glucid metabolism - Starch digestion. Catalytic activity of salivary (ptialina) and pancreatic amylase. Derating enzymes. Aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis. Glycolysis energy output. Metabolic and hormonal regulation of glycolytic enzymes. Facts about aerobic and mitochondrial metabolism.
Fermentative processes - Bacterial fermentations of odontostomatological interest. Lactic acid and dental caries. Fluoride ion inhibitor effect on glucose metabolism. Phosphotransferase transport system.
Hormones - autocrine, paracrine and endocrine signals. Surface and intracellular hormone receptors. Classification of hormones according to their structure.
Vitamins - The role of water-soluble and liposoluble vitamins in cellular metabolism. Cartier states.
Principles of hemostasis - Molecular mechanisms for regulating platelet aggregation and blood clotting.

Readings/Bibliography

Massimo Stefani, Niccolò Taddei - CHIMICA, BIOCHIMICA E BIOLOGIA APPLICATA, Edizioni Zanichelli.

Teaching methods

Frontal learning.

Assessment methods

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Examination consists of a written test that contributes to the final evaluation of C.I. Basic Biomedical Sciences expressed in one vote. 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