37200 - Chemistry andBiochemistry I (C)

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

Structure and properties of carbohydrates and lipids

Carbohydrates. Monosaccharides: aldoses and ketoses, in linear and cyclic forms. Anomers. Glycosidic bonds. Disaccharides and polysaccharides (starch, glycogen, cellulose, glycosaminoglycans). Glycoconiugates.

Lipids. Triacylglycerols and other acylglycerols, glycerophospholipids, sphingophospholipids, glycosphingolipids, cholesterol and cholesterol esters. Isoprenoids. Lipids and biological membranes.

Cofactors and coenzymes

General properties and main coenzymes that serve as carries of electrons and functional groups.

Thermodynamic aspects of biochemical processes and cellular bioenergetics

Laws of thermodynamics and biological systems; Gibbs free energy and chemical potential; relationship between equilibrium constants and standard free-energy changes of chemical reactions. Thermodynamics and transmembrane transport systems.

Coupled reactions and high energy compounds; phosphoryl group transfer potential; ATP role; ortho- and pyrophosphoric cleavage and mode of usage of ATP for energy transfer; redox reactions and free-energy changes.

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.

Office hours

See the website of Flavio Flamigni