37200 - Chemistry andBiochemistry I (A)

Learning outcomes

The course provides knowledge in the following areas:

- general characteristics of chemical reactions (stoichiometry, kinetics and spontaneity);

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

- thermodynamic aspects of biochemical processes and fundamentals of cellular bioenergetics;

- structural and functional properties of proteins;

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

- structure of nucleic acids and description of DNA replication, transcription and translation (protein synthesis).

Course contents

GENERAL CHEMISTRY

Chemical reactions and equations. Lavoisier's law and balancing equations. Definition of mole. Stoichiometric calculations. Classification of chemical reactions. Oxidation number. Redox reactions. Electrochemical cells. Standard reduction potentials: the electrochemical series. Nernst equation. Spontaneity in redox reactions. Standard potentials in biochemistry.

Solutions. Definitions. Electrolytic and non-electrolytic solutions. Measures of concentration. Colligative properties. Raoult's law. The elevation of boiling point. The depression of freezing point. Osmosis and osmotic pressure. Biological implications.

Chemical kinetics. Reaction rates. Collision theory. Activated-complex theory. Reaction energy profiles. Rate laws and reaction order. Reaction mechanisms: elementary and multi-step reactions. Molecolarity. Half-life. Arrhenius equation. Catalysts.

Chemical equilibrium. Definition. Law of mass action and equilibrium constant. Parameters influencing the equilibrium position. Le Chatelier's Principle. Chemical equilibrium in heterogeneous systems.Acids and bases in aqueous solution. Autoionization of water and Kw constant. Definition of pH. Definition of acid, basic and neutral solutions. Ionic equilibria in aqueous solutions: acids and bases. Arrhenius acid-base theory. Brönsted-Lowry acid-base theory. Dissociation equilibria of weak acids and bases. Ka and Kb. Polyprotic acids. Hydrolysis. Buffer solutions and Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Biological buffers. pH of amphoteric electrolytes. Isoelectric pH. Lewis acid-base theory. Acid-base titrations.Solubility equilibria. Solubility product constant. Ksp and solubility. Common ion effect.

Overview on the structure of complex ions.

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

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.

 

Readings/Bibliography

K.J. Denniston, J.J. Topping, R.L. Caret; Chimica Generale, Chimica Organica, Propedeutica Biochimica; Edizione italiana, McGraw-Hill

Teaching methods

Lectures and stoichiometric exercises in the classroom.

Reception of students for clarification.

Review lessons at the request of the students, at the end of the course.

The teaching material, including some examples of exam tests, is available on online courses (IOL) at the link: https://iol.unibo.it/

Assessment methods

The General Chemistry and Biochemistry exam includes:

- a written Chemistry test (3 CFU) consisting of 16 quizzes on general and organic chemistry topics.

- a written test in general biochemistry (6 CFU) consisting of 31 quizzes on the following topics: amino acids, proteins and enzymes (2 CFU); coenzymes, carbohydrates, lipids and bioenergetics (2 CFU); nucleic acids (2 CFU).

Each multiple-choice quiz involves the choice of 4 answers, only one of which is correct and will score. The General Chemistry and Biochemistry exam is passed if the student has acquired a sufficient assessment (18/30) in both written tests (Chemistry and Biochemistry, even in separate sessions).

The grades of Chemistry and General Biochemistry expressed out of 30 (with the possibility of honors in case of rounding to 31) will be noted on Alma exams and will compete with a weight proportional to the CFU to the final grade of the C.I. Biochemistry (I + II semester), which will be recorded. It is necessary to have passed both exams in Chemistry and General Biochemistry (1st semester) to take the (oral) exam for the part pertaining the 2nd semester. The grades in Chemistry and General Biochemistry will normally remain valid for up to 1 year.

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

Teaching tools

The teaching material (both .ppt of lectures and solved exercises, including examples of exams) will be available to students.

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Cetrullo