CHEMISTRY AND PREPARATORY BIOCHEMISTRY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
There are no specific prerequisites, although notions of general chemistry, physics and mathematics can be of help for a faster and more rational understanding of the subject.
Students who in the national selection test have obtained a score in the "chemistry and physics" section below the threshold established by the course council (see course regulations), will have additional educational obligations (OFA) which will be filled by following additional lessons ( made available on the e-learning platform by the teacher) and taking a test. The student who does not pass the OFA test with positive results will not be able to take the course exam.
To verify the learning of the knowledge and skills imparted in class, a written exam will be held in person using the University e-learning platform in the computer rooms located on the Bizzozzero campus.
The chemistry and biochemical preparatory exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions (five possible answers of which at least one is true and to be identified by the student) regarding the understanding of the topics covered.
Of the 30 questions, three will be related to the recognition of three chemical structures treated in class of which the student will have to write the name and recognize the properties.
For each correct answer, the computer will assign 1 point, for each error the system will subtract 0.4 points.
The papers with the correct solutions will be visible to students up to seven days after the exam date by accessing the University Elearning website.
The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to be able to understand the main biological phenomena at cellular and tissue level in a chemical and biochemical key. The aim of the course is to convey to the student the understanding of the chemical reactions at the basis of life, the chemical properties of the constituents of living matter and biological macromolecules, including the mechanism of action of enzymes, the foundations of cellular bioenergetics, the structure and the mechanisms of nucleic acid replication, the mechanisms of control of gene expression and the processes of protein synthesis. The course covers the fundamental laws of chemical transformations, the concept of molecular structure and organization, spatial orientation, the role of different molecules in the construction of biological structures and in the cellular or organism economy, of the main categories of nutrients, and of their value in the context of a correct diet.
GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Overview of chemistry history.
A) Structure of the atom: The nucleus: Nature of the nucleus.
B) Structure of the atom: the electrons. Bohr model, wave nature of electron, stationary wave, orbital shape, quantum numbers, energy levels, orbital energy, electronic configuration of atoms, periodicity of external electronic configuration, periodic properties of elements.
C) Heteromonuclear diatomic molecules: Ionic and covalent bonds, Lewis rules, VSEPR theory, chemical bond formation, molecular orbital theory, valence bond theory, distance and bond strength.
D) Gaseous State and its laws
E) Liquid state and its laws.
F) Thermodynamics. Internal energy, Enthalpy, Entropy, Free energy, Free energy and the composition of a system, Chemical equilibrium, thermochemistry, Law of Hess and applications of thermodynamics to biological processes.
G) Solutions :
H) Chemical equilibrium
I) Acids and Bases
L) Electrochemistry.
M) Chemical kinetics
N) Inorganic chemistry characteristics of the fundamental elements for medical-biological interest.
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
A) Carbon hybridization and molecular geometry.
B) Alkanes.
C) Alkenes.
D) Dienes.
E) Alkines.
F) Cycloalkanes.
G) Aromatic hydrocarbons and their main reactions.
H) Halogen Derivatives.
I) Alcohols and their derivatives. L) Polyalcohols
M) Thiols and Thiols of biological interest.
N) Phenols.
O) Aldehydes and ketones.
P) Carboxylic acids and derivatives.
Q) Amine
PROPEDEUTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
A) Carbohydrates: nomenclature and classification of aldoses and ketosis.
B) amino acids and proteins: Chemical classification of amino acids, reactivity of the carboxylic and aminic group, D-L series and their biological importance. Peptide bond and chemical-physical characteristics. Notes on the structure of proteins, primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary. Isoelectric point of proteins.
C) Lipids: Simple lipids: fatty acids, nomenclature. Complex lipids: triglycerides, glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. Notes on the structure of biological membranes. Cholesterol and its derivatives.
D) Structure of nucleic acids and nucleotides.
Contents and program of the course
GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Overview of chemistry history.
A) Structure of the atom: The nucleus: Nature of the nucleus.
B) Structure of the atom: the electrons. Bohr model, wave nature of electron, stationary wave, orbital shape, quantum numbers, energy levels, orbital energy, electronic configuration of atoms, periodicity of external electronic configuration, periodic properties of elements.
C) Heteromonuclear diatomic molecules: Ionic and covalent bonds, Lewis rules, VSEPR theory, chemical bond formation, molecular orbital theory, valence bond theory, distance and bond strength.
D) Gaseous State and its laws
E) Liquid state and its laws.
F) Thermodynamics. Internal energy, Enthalpy, Entropy, Free energy, Free energy and the composition of a system, Chemical equilibrium, thermochemistry, Law of Hess and applications of thermodynamics to biological processes.
G) Solutions :
H) Chemical equilibrium
I) Acids and Bases
L) Electrochemistry.
M) Chemical kinetics
N) Inorganic chemistry characteristics of the fundamental elements for medical-biological interest.
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
A) Carbon hybridization and molecular geometry.
B) Alkanes.
C) Alkenes.
D) Dienes.
E) Alkines.
F) Cycloalkanes.
G) Aromatic hydrocarbons and their main reactions.
H) Halogen Derivatives.
I) Alcohols and their derivatives. L) Polyalcohols
M) Thiols and Thiols of biological interest.
N) Phenols.
O) Aldehydes and ketones.
P) Carboxylic acids and derivatives.
Q) Amine
PROPEDEUTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
A) Carbohydrates: nomenclature and classification of aldoses and ketosis.
B) amino acids and proteins: Chemical classification of amino acids, reactivity of the carboxylic and aminic group, D-L series and their biological importance. Peptide bond and chemical-physical characteristics. Notes on the structure of proteins, primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary. Isoelectric point of proteins.
C) Lipids: Simple lipids: fatty acids, nomenclature. Complex lipids: triglycerides, glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. Notes on the structure of biological membranes. Cholesterol and its derivatives.
D) Structure of nucleic acids and nucleotides
Oral lectures (40 hours) will be imparted to students by using slide projections (usually in Italian but, in cases of recently published material, also in English). During the explanation in the classroom the students are invited to interact with the teacher with questions and curiosity. During the lectures the teacher will also present cases and daily facts that can make understand the application / importance of the subjects of the teachings.
The course also includes hours of supplementary activities (20 hours) dedicated to the study of subjects more related to experimental and laboratory medicine.
Students have the obligation to attend classes as established in the educational regulations of the study course and to sign the time sheet for taking the exam.
Teacher undertake to make projected presentations available to lectures and other material of interest (articles) through the University computer platforms (eg elearning) to which students have access.
In the teacher's presentations there will be links to web pages for further information.
For reception students make an appointment by email with the teacher - davide.vigetti@uninsubria.it