The objective of the course is to introduce pivotal notions of chemistry and biochemistry for the knowledge of: a) chemical characteristics of components of biological systems; b) functions and localization of cellular and tissue metabolic pathways.
Course Prerequisites
Students are required to have a basic knowledge of chemistry which corresponds to a minimum score of 6 in the Chemistry questions of the admission test. For the students who, despite having passed the admission test, reach a score lower than 6, there will be identified specific Additional Educational Obligations (OFA), to be fulfilled within the first year of the course. Students with OFA will have to carry out an e-learning recovery path, in order to complete their initial preparation, which will be available to students for further study and clarification. At the end of the course there will be an ongoing test (OFA Recovery Test). The dates and place of the test will be advertised on the Study Program web page. The OFA are considered fulfilled once they have been passed, with a favorable outcome, the tests in progress and the final exam in the teaching of Chemistry.
Teaching Methods
Oral lectures in a classroom, presentation of topics and discussions with the students on chemistry applied in everyday life. Lessons are provided in the form of a presentation via e-learning.
Assessment Methods
Written exam, containing 20 multiple choice questions with one right answer, and exercises in Chemistry. Duration of the exam: 50 minutes.
Contents
Atoms, molecules, material, periodic table, chemical bonds, polarity, oxidation number redox, gas Laws, solutions, concentrations, acid-base-pH and buffers, equilibrium of a chemical reaction. Carbon chemistry: hybridization and bonds. Organic molecules and functional groups: alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives. Amines. Isomerie. Structure and function of biomolecules. Carbohydrates: general aspects and classification, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides. Lipids: general aspects and classification, fatty acids, acylglycerols, phosphoglycerides and sphingolipids, steroids, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, K, E) and their biochemical role, lipoproteins and lipid transport in the blood. Amino acids and proteins: biological importance of proteins, amino acids, peptide bond, structural organization of proteins, hemoglobin (structure and function) and myoglobin, collagen, muscle fiber proteins. Enzymes: classification, enzymes as catalysts, coenzymes derived from water-soluble vitamins, factors that influence the activity of enzymes, inhibition of enzymatic activity. Carbohydrate metabolism: glycogen, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis. Hormonal regulation of blood sugar. Lipid metabolism: fatty acids as the main fuels of metabolism, beta oxidation, ketone bodies, synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol. Metabolism of amino acids: protein digestion, deamination and urea production. Bioenergetics: citric acid cycle, respiratory chain, electron transfer and ATP synthesis through ATP synthase.
Course Language
Italian
More information
For any question regarding the lessons and their content, students may request and take an appointment with the Docent by writing at this email address: jenny.karousou@uninsubria.it
