Learning objectives
<br />The aim of this course is to provide the students with the essential notions about the language of chemistry organic, inorganic and the complex bio-molecules of living organisms. This is necessary to understand the fundamentals of the cell organization, of the cell metabolic processes and their inter-correlation at the body level.<br />Moreover, the course supplies the basic knowledge of genetics and biology, the modes of reproduction of organisms, and evolution in general. All of this are essential topics to better comprehend the chemical-biological phenomena, providing the basic aspects to understand the topics of more advanced courses.
Prerequisites
- - -
Course unit content
<br />Part 1.<br />Atoms and sub-atomic particles. Elements and compounds. Chemical bond. Formula and nomenclature. Concept of mole and the chemical reactions. Solutions. Acids and bases. pH. Basic principles of organic chemistry: aliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic and heterocyclic. Isomerism. Main classes of molecules of interest in biology.<br />Part 2<br />Blood and plasma proteins. Haemoglobin. Oxygen transport and storage. Heme metabolism. Enzymes and iso-enzymes. Vitamins and co-enzymes. Membranes and cell compartments. Transport and communication. Biochemistry of digestion and absorption. Bioenergetics. Carbohydrate metabolism. Lipid metabolism. Aminoacid metabolism. Metabolic inter-connections. Hormonal control.<br />Part 3<br />History and development of the theory of evolution. Living organisms: basic concepts and components. Viruses and Bacteria. Structure, function and evolution of the eukariotic cell and its components. Asexual and sexual reproduction. Gametogenesys and fertilization.
Full programme
- - -
Bibliography
<br />Stefani, Taddei – Chimica, Biochimica e Biologia Applicata – Zanichelli.<br /> <br />J.W.Baynes, M.H.Dominiczak – Biochimica per le discipline biomediche – Casa Ed. Ambrosiana.<br /> <br />Campbell: Biology (Benjamin/Cummings PC, 1993)
Teaching methods
- - -
Assessment methods and criteria
- - -
Other information
- - -
