D0118 - CHIMICA E PROPEDEUTICA BIOCHIMICA (B)

Learning outcomes

The course in Chemistry and Introductory Biochemistry provides students with the fundamental knowledge necessary to understand the basic principles governing matter and its transformations, with particular emphasis on biological processes at the atomic and molecular levels and their relevance to biomedical sciences. The course is structured into teaching units, and the specific learning outcomes for each unit will be described and regularly updated in the online Course Guide, in accordance with the guidelines of the Italian Ministry of University and Research.

Course contents

Teaching Unit 1. Atomic structure, chemical bonding, states of matter, and thermodynamics of open systems (1 ECTS credit equivalent)

Students will describe and interpret:

• The constitution of matter. Fundamentals of atomic theory. Atomic structure: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Atomic number and mass number. Isotopes. Basic principles of nuclear magnetic properties as the foundation of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) diagnostic imaging.

• Quantum numbers, atomic orbitals, the Pauli exclusion principle, Hund's rule, and electronic configuration, with particular reference to the elements most abundant in living organisms.

• The periodic table of the elements. Periodic properties: valence electron configuration, atomic radius, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity, and the octet rule.

• Molecules, ions, and polyatomic ions. Molecular mass. The mole and Avogadro's number. Atomic mass unit and molecular mass.

• Chemical bonding. Bond orbitals. Covalent bonding (non-polar, polar, and coordinate covalent bonds). Basic concepts of metallic bonding. Ionic bonding. Orbital hybridization (sp, sp², sp³). Sigma (σ) and pi (π) molecular orbitals. Bond length and bond energy. Bond angles and molecular geometry. Examples of biologically relevant polar and non-polar molecules.

• Weak intermolecular interactions (hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces) and hydrophobic interactions.

• Oxidation number. Structural formulas and nomenclature of biologically relevant binary and ternary compounds containing carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus (oxides, hydroxides, peroxides, acids, bases, and salts).

• Basic concepts of the solid state: ionic, molecular, covalent, and metallic solids.

• The gaseous state. Absolute temperature. Boyle's, Charles's, and Gay-Lussac's laws. Application of gas laws to respiration. Ideal gas equation. Fundamentals of the kinetic theory of gases and the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution.

• The liquid state: boiling point, heat of vaporization, surface tension, gas-liquid equilibrium, and vapor pressure. Comparison of the phase diagrams of water and carbon dioxide. Biomedical relevance of phase changes, including sweat evaporation and thermoregulation.

• Principles of thermodynamics and bioenergetics. State functions. Enthalpy. Exothermic and endothermic transformations. Entropy. Gibbs free energy. Exergonic and endergonic processes. Free energy changes as criteria for spontaneity and equilibrium in open systems.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended Textbooks (Italian language):

• F.A. Bettelheim et al. Chimica e Propedeutica Biochimica. Edises.
• T. Bellini. Chimica Medica e Propedeutica Biochimica. Zanichelli.
• L. Binaglia, B. Giardina. Chimica e Propedeutica Biochimica. McGraw Hill.
• K.J. Denniston et al. Chimica Generale, Chimica Organica, Propedeutica Biochimica. McGraw Hill.
• S. Marini et al. Chimica e Propedeutica Biochimica. Piccin.

Teaching methods

Lectures will be delivered in accordance with the teaching arrangements specified in the relevant section of the Course catalogue [https://www.unibo.it/en/study/enrolment-fees-and-other-procedures/enrolment-in-combined-bachelors-and-masters-degree-programmes-in-medicine-and-surgery-dentistry-and-orthodontics%2C-veterinary-medicine]

Assessment methods

In accordance with Ministerial Decree No. 941 of 10 July 2026 and Directoral Decree No. 249 of 13 July 2026, the assessment for each course included in the Open Semester consists of a written examination lasting 50 minutes, comprising 31 questions, structured as follows:

• 21 multiple-choice questions, each with five answer options, of which only one is correct;
• 10 completion-format questions (fill-in-the-blank questions).

The examination is marked according to the following criteria:

• +1 point for each correct answer;
• 0 points for each unanswered question;
• −0.1 points for each incorrect answer.

The examination is passed with a minimum score of 18 points. The maximum score is 31 points.

The examination papers are identical throughout Italy and are administered simultaneously nationwide.

Students are entitled to two examination sessions for each course, scheduled for 10 December at 11:00 a.m. and 11 January 2027 at 11:00 a.m., in accordance with Directoral Decree No. 249 of 13 July 2026.

Teaching tools

Course materials will be made available directly within the Zoom platform used to attend the course.

Office hours

See the website of Antonello Lorenzini