37200 - Chemistry andBiochemistry I (C)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows: the general characteristics of chemical reactions (stoichiometry, kinetics and spontaneity); the properties of the chemical constituents of living matter, the structure and properties of simple and complex molecules of a carbohydrate and lipid nature; the thermodynamic aspects of biochemical processes and the foundations of cellular bioenergetics, the structural and functional characteristics of protein macromolecules, the mechanism of action of enzymes, notions of enzymatic kinetics and the mechanisms of speed regulation of biochemical processes; the structure of nucleic acids and the description of the processes involved in DNA replication, transcription and translation resulting in protein synthesis.

Course contents

Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids Structural aspects of nucleotides; chemistry and hydrophobicity / hydrophilicity of the three structural components of nucleotides. Phosphodiester bonds; three-dimensional structure of DNA (forms B, A, Z). Structure of RNAs. Denaturation of nucleic acids. Nucleases: types and catalytic mechanism. Mutations and polymorphisms.

Genes and Chromosomes Genes and genome, introns and exons, DNA supercoiling and topoisomerases, nucleosomes and histones; Mitochondrial DNA.

DNA metabolism DNA replication: rules and their meaning, reaction mechanism; structural and functional characteristics of the main DNA polymerases, other proteins and enzymes involved in replication (helicases, ligases); stages of the replication process. DNA repair mechanisms. Telomeres: function and meaning, synthesis phases and enzymes involved.

Metabolism of RNA RNA polymerase; outline of promoters and regulation of transcription; transcription reaction and phases; transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Post-transcriptional modifications: significance and molecular mechanisms of 5'-cap and polyA splicing and insertion; ribozymes. mRNA degradation. Reverse transcriptases. Outline of other types of RNA.

Protein synthesis Genetic code and its natural variations (eg mitochondrial DNA); ribosome structure; characteristics of tRNA chains. Protein synthesis: aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase reaction; start of synthesis, chain lengthening, termination, outline of post-translational modifications. Energy balance. Protein degradation (Ubiquitin, protease and proteasome). Notes on the synthesis of proteins by recombinant DNA technology.

Readings/Bibliography

D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox "Lehninger's Principles of Biochemistry". VIII ed., Zanichelli

T.M. Devlin, "Biochemistry with Clinical Aspects" V ed., Edises

Teaching methods

Lectures based on Power-Point presentations

Assessment methods

Written exams of Chemistry and General Biochemistry. The written exam is considered passed if the student has acquired a sufficient evaluation in both disciplines (Chemistry-Prof. P. Taddei and General Biochemistry-Prof. A. Baracca and Dr. C. Zanna). As regards the method of verifying the learning of Chemistry knowledge, please refer to the web guides of Prof. P. Taddei.

As regards the verification of learning of General Biochemistry knowledge: the student will be assessed as suitable or unsuitable on the basis of a multiple choice test (3 x question) on the subjects covered by the General Biochemistry teaching. Each answer (30 in total) is assigned a score of 1 if correct, or 0 if wrong. The time available to the student for the written test is 12 minutes. The use of support material such as textbooks, notes, computer media is not permitted during the test. The test is considered passed if the candidate reaches the minimum score of 18/30.

Passing the written test of Chemistry and General Biochemistry is mandatory for the student to participate in the oral sessions of Metabolic Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The assessment acquired in the Chemistry and General Biochemistry module is valid for one calendar year.

The mark obtained in the course of Chemistry and General Biochemistry contributes to the definition of the mark of the C.I. of Biochemistry, which will correspond to the weighted average on the basis of the credits of the first and second semester courses.

Teaching tools

Teaching is represented by frontal lessons using Power Point presentations supported scientific publications and short video.

Office hours

See the website of Claudia Zanna