37200 - Chemistry andBiochemistry I (LZ-C)

Learning outcomes

The main objective of this course is to provide knowledge on the following subjects: general characteristics of chemical reactions (stoichiometry, kinetics and spontaneous reactions); properties of the chemical components in living organisms: structure and properties of simple and complex carbohydrates and lipids; thermodynamic aspects of biochemical processes and cellular bioenergetics; structural and functional properties of proteins; enzyme mechanism of action and kinetics; regulation of biochemical reactions rate;

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

Course contents

Amino acids - Review of the structure, classification and acid / base properties of amino acids.

Proteins - levels of structural organization: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure - structural characteristics and functional role of fibrous and globular proteins - thermodynamics and kinetics of polypeptide chain folding - protein denaturation and misfolding. Proteinopathies.

Oxygen-carrying proteins - heme group structure - myoglobin and hemoglobin: structural characteristics and biological function - Mechanism of action: oxygen binding curve of hemoglobin myoglobin - allosterism and allosteric modulators (Bohr effect) of hemoglobin.

Enzymology - General information on enzymes - classification - enzyme cofactors - isozymes - chemical and kinetic equilibrium of a chemical reaction - free energy diagram of a reaction: activation energy and transition state - mechanism of action of enzymes - mechanisms and catalytic strategies - kinetics of Michaelis and Menten - irreversible and reversible inhibitors - effect of pH and temperature on enzyme activity - mechanisms of regulation of enzymatic activity: covalent modification - proteolytic activation - allosterism.

Readings/Bibliography

Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry - David L Nelson, Michael M Cox

Marks Basic Medical Biochemistry - Michael Lieberman, Allan Marks

Teaching methods

Lectures

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 1^stsemester (9 credits total) expressed in 30/30 (with the possibility of cum laude).

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

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

Teaching tools

Powerpoint slides

Office hours

See the website of Giulio Agnetti