66942 - Bio-Organic Chemistry

Learning outcomes

The student will gain a good knowledge of bio-organic chemistry, that includes the structure and reactivity of biological molecules, such as peptides, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. The student will also study the most important metabolic pathways (both anabolism and katabolism), including all the reaction mechanisms.

Course contents

Prerequisites

Basic concepts of general and inorganic chemistry; acids and bases; properties and characteristics of functional groups in organic chemistry; reactivity of functional groups, particularly acyl compounds; main reaction mechanisms, especially nucleophilic acyl substitution; types and characteristics of chemical reactions, particularly enolate-mediated condensations.

Course Contents

Introduction to the course.

Part 1. Main classes of compounds of biochemical interest.

Carbohydrates: monosaccharides, cyclic forms, amino sugars, alditols, uronic acids, carbohydrate chemistry, glycosides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, glycoproteins.

Nucleosides, nucleotides, nucleic acids, genome organization, DNA damage.

Lipids: triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, terpenes, prostaglandins.

Amino acids, peptides, structures, conformations, proteins, enzymes, receptors, antibodies.

Part 2. Biosynthesis, metabolism, catabolism.

Biosynthesis of nucleosides, DNA replication, gene translation.

Protein synthesis, gastric degradation, and the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway.

Pyruvate pathways, Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation.

Chlorophyll photosynthesis. Glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway.

Biosynthesis of non-essential amino acids, amino acid metabolism, transamination, urea cycle.

Fatty acid biosynthesis, prostaglandin biosynthesis, terpene biosynthesis, squalene biosynthesis, steroids, beta-oxidation of fatty acids.

Group work and exercises. Practical session: biochemistry of wine.

Additional topic: laboratory synthesis of peptides and proteins.

 

Readings/Bibliography

• Introduction to Bioorganic Chemistry and Chemical Biology - D.Van Vranken, G. A. Weiss ed. 2013, Garland Science

• The Organic Chemistry of Biological pathways- J. McMurry, T. Begley - 2nd ed. 2016

• Biochemistry - R.H. Garrett, C.M. Grisham - 2013 V ed. Piccin
• Biochemistry - J.M. Berg, J.L.Tymoczko, L. Stryer - VII ed. 2012 Zanichelli
  

Teaching methods

Lectures are delivered in a traditional classroom format with PowerPoint presentations. Examples are drawn from the biomedical field. Group work and exercises are included. Special practical session: biochemistry of wine.

Students are expected to attend classes regularly and participate actively in discussions in order to develop their ability to reason, argue, and solve problems.

The electronic presentations used during lectures are uploaded to the Virtuale platform and are available upon registration.

Notes taken during lectures are of fundamental importance.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the relevant University Office in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The Office will propose any necessary accommodations, which must be submitted to the instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will assess their appropriateness also in relation to the course learning objectives.

Assessment methods

Assessment is conducted through an oral examination, during which the following aspects will be evaluated:

• Basic chemistry competencies
• Acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills
• Appropriate use of scientific terminology
• Ability to draw chemical structures and reaction mechanisms
• Reasoning and argumentation skills
• Clarity of presentation
• Overall understanding of the subject
• Ability to connect the various topics covered in the course

Excellent performance (28–30): Requires both detailed knowledge of the individual topics and a comprehensive understanding of the subject as a whole, including the ability to establish connections among topics. Mastery of fundamental chemical concepts, appropriate scientific language, strong reasoning skills, and clear presentation are essential.

Good performance (24–27): Demonstrates a solid understanding of the topics, good analytical and synthesis skills, clear and understandable language, and satisfactory basic chemistry competencies.

Pass (18–23): Shows basic knowledge of the topics, sufficient fundamental chemistry competencies, limited use of appropriate scientific terminology, minimal reasoning ability, and modest clarity of presentation.

Fail (<18): Reveals significant gaps in basic chemical knowledge, inappropriate use of terminology, lack of reasoning and communication skills, and poor ability to navigate and integrate the topics covered in the course.

 

Teaching tools

The course consists of oral lectures. The computer presentations used during the lessons could be retrived on the web platform Virtuale upon registration.
Take notes during the lectures is mandatory.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Gentilucci