Learning objectives
The student must demonstrate to have understood the line of continuity between the chemistry of the carbon and the biological structures such as a cell. In particular, he must get the vision how a growing complexity in structures and functions can lead to an intricate and self-regulated net of informations within organelles, between inner cell metabolic pathways and between different cells; however, the student must also understand that any complex structure and function stands on few basic rules which can be encountered in the chemistry of carbon.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The chemical elements; electronic orbitals; chemical bonds; electronegativity and resonance. Inorganic and organic acids and bases; the meaning of pH. Structure and reactivity of principals organic functional groups: alchanes, alchenes, alcohols and ethers, amines, aldheydes and ketones, carbossylic acids and derivatives. General properties of sugars, proteins and lipids. Structure and function of proteins; the catalytic role of the enzymes and coenzymes. Some aspects of Enzyme kinetics. ATP and the meaning of free energy in Biochemistry. Glicolysis, Krebs' cycle, respiratory chain and ATP production. Some outlines on DNA and protein synthesis. Some aspects of intercellular comunications.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Chimica e Propedeutica Biochimica, Binaglia e Giardina. Mac Graw Hill; 'Biochemistry', Mathews, vanHolde and Ahern, CEA.
Teaching methods
The practical lesson consists of manipulation of chemical models, viewing digital material and attending specialized seminars etc.
Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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