37200 - Chemistry andBiochemistry I (LZ-B)

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

Organic Chenistry Elements

Electronic characteristics and hybridization of C. Molecules containing asymmetric (chiral) carbon atoms and optical activity. Structure, properties and reactivity of saturated and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons; alkyl halides. Structure and chemical reactivity of monofunctional compounds: alcohols, ethers, thioalcohols, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives (esters, anhydrides, starches). Aromatic hydrocarbons and derivatives. Heterocyclic aromatic compounds.

 

Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids

Nucleotides and nucleic acids Chemical aspects of nucleotides, uncommon nucleotides, the phosphodiester bond. The secondary structures of DNA, unusual sequences and structures. Tertiary structure of DNA, histones, nucleosomes, chromosomes.

DNA metabolism Characteristics of DNA replication, reaction mechanism, functional characteristics of the main DNA polymerases, other proteins and enzymes involved in replication (helicases, single strand binding proteins, topoisomerases, primases, ligases); stages of the replication process. Replication of telomers.

RNA metabolism Types of RNA and RNA polymerases. Promoters. Transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The stages of transcription, the transcription factors involved. The maturation of messenger RNA: 5 'capping, splicing mechanisms and alternative splicing, 3' polyadenylation. The regulation of gene expression and main epigenetic modifications. Ribosomal RNA, its maturation and the structure of ribosomes. Transfer RNA, structure and maturation, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase.

Protein synthesis The genetic code. The stages of translation and the factors involved in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Post-translational modifications and the fate of the protein in the cell. Protein degradation (Ubiquitin, protease and proteasome).

MicroRNAs Structure, maturation, functions.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Teacher ppt

Teaching methods

Frontal lection

Assessment methods

Knowledge of Chemistry and General Biochemistry will be assessed with a written examination. Candidates will be given 2 hours to complete 3 open-ended questions on general chemistry and 44 multiple choice questions (1 right answer over 4 possible choices), of which: 11 on amino acids, proteins and enzymes; 11 on sugars, lipids, co-enzymes and bioenergetics; and 11 on nucleic acids. Every part of the test will be evaluated by the teacher who had covered that portion of the program. Every partial evaluation will contribute with a proportional weight in CFU to determine the score of the 1stsemester (9 credits total) expressed in 30/30 (with the possibility of cum laude).


The score of Chemistry and General Biochemistry (1stsemester) will be annotated on Alma esami and will proportionally contribute to the single, final score of the C.I. Biochemistry (1st+ 2ndsemester), which will be registered. It is mandatory to pass the examination that covers the 1stsemester program in order to be able to take the (oral) examination covering that of the 2ndsemester. The score from the 1stsemester examination will be valid for 2 years.


Candidates will be allowed to bring a periodic table and calculator along.

Teaching tools

ppt slides

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Cetrullo