37200 - Chemistry and Biochemistry  I (LZ-D)

Learning outcomes

The main objective of this course is to provide knowledge on the following subjects:

the general characteristics of chemical reactions (stoichiometry, kinetics and spontaneous reactions);

the properties of the chemical components of the living organisms: structure and properties of simple and complex carbohydrates and lipids;

the thermodynamic aspects of biochemical processes and the basis of cellular bioenergetics;

the structural and functional properties of proteins;

the enzyme mechanism of action and kinetics; regulation of biochemical reactions rate;

the structure of nucleic acids and the description of the mechanisms involved in DNA replication, transcription and translation (protein synthesis).

Course contents

Amino acids and their properties. Protein structure and conformation. Denaturation.

Hemoglobin: structure, oxygen binding, regulation. Hemoglobinopathies.

Enzymes. Kinetics of enzymatic reactions. Mechanism of action of the enzymes and their . allosteric, covalent, genetic regulation.

Readings/Bibliography

M.Lieberman, A.D.Marks "Mark's Basic Medical Biochemistry, A Clinical Approach" 

D.L.Nelson, M.M.Cox. "Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry"

Teaching methods

onsite teaching

Assessment methods

written exam

Teaching tools

Updated lessons slides will be available at ALMA@DL - AMS Campus upon completion of the course

Office hours

See the website of Giulio Agnetti