37200 - Chemistry andBiochemistry I (D)

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

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 at the telomere level.

RNA metabolism Types of RNA and RNA polymerase. Notes on 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. Notes on the regulation of gene expression and on the 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. Notes on protein degradation (Ubiquitin, protease and proteasome).

MicroRNA Structure, maturation, functions.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching material will be available to students.

D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox "I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger" Zanichelli editore.

M. Lieberman, A.D. Marks "Biochimica Medica: un approccio clinico "Casa Editrice Ambrosiana T.M.

Teaching methods

Lectures

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 Silvia Cetrullo