69849 - Structural Biochemistry I

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the main organic compounds and is able to identify the main functional groups in biological molecules and macromolecules, glucids, nucleotides, nucleic acids and vitamins.

Course contents

• Carbon chemistry: hybrid atomic orbitals of carbon and spatial arrangement of atoms of organic molecules. Functional groups: definition and occurrence in organic molecules.
  
• Hydrocarbons (notions): alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, linear, branched and cyclic hydrocarbons, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.
• Main organic compounds and their functional groups: alcohols, ethers, amines, ketones, aldehydes, hemiacetals and acetals, carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid derivatives (esters, amides, anhydrides).
• Organic reactions in biochemistry: additions, eliminations, substitution and group transfer reactions, redox reactions. Ionic and radical reactions.
• Biomolecules: main features. Macro-and microconstituents, polyfunctional compounds.
• Carbohydrates or glucids: monosaccharides and derivatives, di- and oligosaccharides, polysaccharides. Structure and biological role.
• Nucleotides as constituents and precursors of nucleic acids, coenzymes and metabolites. Structures of DNA and RNA and their biological role.
• Hydrosoluble vitamins (B group and ascorbic acid) and liposoluble vitamins (A, D, E, K): structural features, biological role, occurrence in food, carential symptoms.

All topics will be presented and discussed in the classroom (frontal lessons).

Readings/Bibliography

• Lesson slides and multiple choice questionnaires (to be used to consolidate learning) will be available online (Moodle platform) by the link "materiale didattico" which will appear below the name of the course.

  Online material should be used as learning guideline and to know how the topics should be deepened. The online material is not intended to replace a book, chosen among the following titles: 
  
• K.J. Denniston, J.J. Topping, R.L. Caret Chimica generale, chimica organica, propedeutica biochimica. McGraw Hill 2012 ISBN 978-88-386-6752-7
• F.A. Bettelheim, W.H. Brown, M.K. Campbell, S.O. Farrell.  Chimica e propedeutica biochimica. EdiSES 2012 ISBN  978-88-7959-542-1
• E.Santaniello, M.Alberghina, M. Coletta, S. Marini Principi di chimica generale ed organica per i corsi di laurea a indirizzo bio-medico. Piccin 2013 ISBN 978-88-299-2202-4.
• M.Stefani, N. Taddei. Chimica, biochimica e biologia applicata. Zanichelli 2015 ISBN 978-88-08-15227-5

Teaching methods

Lessons will cover the programme topics illustrated with the aid of slides, animations, molecular models. Step by step the topics will be discussed with students.

Assessment methods

The course is part of the Integrated Course Chemistry and Structural Biochemistry which also embraces Chemistry and Structural Biochemistry II. The final score of the exam is based on the synthesis of the three course evaluations, obtained at the same time. The examining board is formed by Dr Fabiana Trombetti (who records exam marks) and Prof. Alessandra Pagliarani.

In agreement with students, a written open-answer test on selected program topics of organic chemistry may be proposed. The test consists of three open choice topics to be described in two hours. Obviously no books or learning support are allowed during the test. The written test is not mandatory and the result will never prevent students from taking the final oral exam. However, a successfully passed test may constitute a valuable basis of the student's learning of the topics of Structural Biochemistry I.

The final oral exam is aimed at evaluating the achievement of the following learning objectives:

• Capability of efficiently gathering information
• Capability of identifying the functional groups and their properties
• Capability of recognizing the functional groups in biomolecules, particularly in glucides, nucleotides and vitamins
• Capability of relating the structure of glucides, nucleotides and vitamins to their role and function in the animal body

In the evaluation of responses, special attention will be paid to the connections between topics and the clarity of presentation. Students will be able to demonstrate their skills in applying the specific knowledge of the course contents  to general topics of animal health and biology.

Detailed information on exam booking, sessions and calls is available on Dr. Trombetti's website. 

Teaching tools

pc, videoprojector, molecular models

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Pagliarani