Educational offer - University of Padova

Syllabus

Prerequisites:	The knowledge of fundamental concepts of chemistry and biochemistry at secondary school level are required. No prerequisites are needed.
Target skills and knowledge:	At the end of the course, the student will be able to explain the physical and chemical properties of hydrocarbons and of their derivatives. Recognize the main categories of aliphatic compounds. Recognize an aromatic compound. Define the concept of aromaticity. Identify the chiral carbon and describe the optical properties of enantiomers. Identify the R or S absolute configuration of a stereoisomer. Represent the structural formula by applying the rules of the IUPAC nomenclature. Recognize the functional groups and the different classes of organic compounds. Understand the energy balance of metabolic reactions and transport of metabolic substances associated with the consumption of ATP. Define the properties of amino acids and proteins and of their structural motifs and domains. Functions of some enzymes and enzyme complexes. Know the structure of the supramolecular biological membranes and transport mechanisms. Overview metabolic processes and the involvement of macromolecules and energy mechanisms underlying them: bioenergetics of catabolic pathways; metabolic pathways of anaerobic and aerobic metabolism, the source and fate of pyruvate and acetyl CoA. Pyruvate decarboxylation, Krebs cycle, respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation. The knowledge of the structure and function of enzymes, examples of mechanisms of catalysis, enzyme inhibition, and the influence of temperature and pH on their activity. The student will also acquire the fundamentals of animal metabolism and fermentation phenomena.
Examination methods:	Exams will be by in written form, using open questions, multipke choice tests and exercises, aimed at the evaluation of the comprehension of course topics. Exams will be devoted to the evaluation of course comprehension, of the proper terminology and specific language, and of the capacity of critical analysis analysis of the arguments trested along the course.
Assessment criteria:	The student evaluation will be based on the knowledge of concepts and methods acquired during the course. Deepening level of student knowledge will be also assessed.
Course unit contents:	The aim of the course is to provide, in a simplified way, some basic knowledge of general, inorganic, organic chemistry and biochemistry, which are due for the understanding of course topics. In particular, the course aims to provide basic knowledge of the structure of the atom and of its constituents. Molecules. Atomic mass units. Isotopes. Atomic models. Electronic configuration and periodic table of the elements. Avogadro's number, mole. The main types of chemical bonds: ionic, covalent, multiple bonds. Molecular interactions (hydrogen bonding, London forces, van der Waals forces). Change of state: solid, liquid and gas. Structure and properties of the main classes of inorganic and bioinorganic substances, hydrides, oxides, oxoacids and derivatives, salts, acids and bases. Nomenclature. Oxidation states. Main redox reactions and applications. The chemical reaction: energy and kinetic aspects. Chemical equilibrium and its laws. Solutions, types of solutions, properties. Expressions of concentration. Colligative properties: osmotic pressure and his law, ebullioscopy, freezing point depression. Theory of acids and bases. Ionic dissociation of water; pH: definition and meaning. Ionic equilibria in aqueous solution (dissociation of acids and bases, hydrolysis, buffer solutions, physiological buffers, isoelectric pH). Structure, stereochemistry, nomenclature and properties of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Geometric isomerism, optical isomerism. Structure and properties of monofunctional compounds: alkyl halides, alcohols, enols, thiols, phenols, ethers, thioethers amines, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives (esters, amides) (7 ECTS). Description of macromolecular structures and of biochemical processes. In addition, the course provides the basic knowledge of general biochemistry for understanding the properties of the most important classes of macromolecules. Classification, structure and properties of polyfunctional compounds of biological interest. Carbohydrates: Classification, stereoisomerism, monosaccharides, intramolecular cyclization, glycosidic bonds, disaccharides and polysaccharides. Amino acids and proteins. Protein structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary. Forces that control the protein structure and structure-function relationships. Lipids: fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycolipids, cholesterol, steroids. The student will also acquire the fundamentals of animal metabolism and fermentation phenomena. Within the course, general and organic chemistry will give 7 ECTS, while biochemistry will give 4 ECTS. Practical activities in laboratories of chemistry and biochemistry will be proposed in order to deepen the topics faced during the theoretical part of the course (1 ECTS). In particular, laboratory activities will involve the use of analytical balances, automatic pipettes, burettes, common glassware, dilution systems and pHmeters.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods:	PowerPoint presentations will be used for lessons. The program provides practical laboratory activities in chemistry and biochemistry, in order to deepen the theoretical lessons. In particular, laboratory activities will involve the use of analytical balances, automatic pipettes, burettes, common glassware, dilution systems and pHmeters.
Additional notes about suggested reading:	Pdf files of PowerPoint presentation will be available at the website: https://elearning.unipd.it/scuolaamv/ (Moodle website). Reference texts represent the basis for student cultural needs, allowing, with many additional insights. Students will contact Prof. Vianello by e-mail (fabio.vianello@unipd.it) for appointments. He will receive every day from 12.00 to 13.00.
Textbooks (and optional supplementary readings)	Denniston K.J., Topping J.J., Caret R.L., Chimica generale, Chimica organica e propedeutica Biochimica. Milano: McGraw-Hill, 2012.