Ateneo - UPO

In the General Chemistry section, the following topics will be explored in detail:
i) the structure of the atom and periodic properties;
ii) chemical bonds and intermolecular interactions;
iii) the properties of gases, with specific emphasis on aspects related to the physiology of respiration;
iv) the properties of the liquid state and solutions, with particular attention to colligative properties, as well as the measurement and calculation of concentrations;
v) compounds and chemical reactions;
vi) chemical equilibria, chemical kinetics, and the role of catalysts;
vii) acid-base equilibria and buffer solutions, with insights into maintaining acid-base balance in the human body;
viii) electrochemical potential and redox reactions.
In the Organic Chemistry section, the following topics will be covered:
i) the structure and physicochemical characteristics of organic functional groups;
ii) carbon bonds and its various oxidation states;
iii) the structure and physicochemical properties of major organic molecules and the main reactions they can undergo;
iv) structure, classification, and definition of the physicochemical characteristics of the main classes of molecules and macromolecules of biological interest (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, polypeptides, and nucleic acids).

- Bettelheim, Chimica e Propedeutica Biochimica. EdiSES
- Bellini, Chimica medica e propedeutica biochimica. Zanichelli
- Dennison, Chimica generale, chimica organica e propedeutica biochimica. McGraw-Hill

The course aims to provide a solid foundation for understanding the principles governing chemical and physicochemical processes of matter, with a particular focus on their application to human physiology in both health and disease.
Specifically, the course seeks to:
i) Analyze the role of different types of chemical bonds and intermolecular interactions in determining the structure of matter;
ii) Identify the physicochemical properties of elements and compounds, understanding how they interact and react with one another;
iii) Understand and apply the laws describing the behavior of gases and the properties of solutions (gas-liquid, liquid-liquid, and liquid-solid);
iv) Develop practical skills for calculating concentrations and solving problems related to chemical reactions and equilibria, with a particular focus on acid-base equilibria and pH calculations;
v) Recognize functional groups and classify the main classes of organic compounds, describing their physicochemical properties and principal reactions;
vi) Identify the structure and functional groups of biological macromolecules, understanding their physicochemical properties and roles in vital processes.
Expected Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to analyze the processes that regulate human body functions, with particular reference to:
Metabolic redox processes;
Physiology of respiration;
Maintenance of hydro-saline and acid-base balance;
Membrane potential.
Furthermore, students will have gained sufficient knowledge of the structure of organic and biological molecules to relate their structure to their physicochemical properties, enabling a more informed study of metabolic processes and their clinical implications.

Basic knowledge of physics, mathematics, and biology.

Lectures will be conducted using slide presentations and video projections. Problems, quizzes, and case studies will be solved in class to guide students toward independent problem-solving.
Students will also have the opportunity to work on problems, quizzes, and case studies at home using the Moodle DIR platform.
Additional materials on topics related to applied chemistry in health and human physiology will be made available to students as handouts.
For exam preparation, students can use the materials provided by the instructor as well as the recommended textbooks to further explore the topics discussed in class.

A PDF copy of the slides presented, supplementary materials, and all information regarding the course and exam procedures will be made available on the Moodle DIR platform.
The detailed course syllabus and exam procedures will also be provided on DIR

During the course, in-progress assessments will be available in the form of quizzes and exam simulations. These assessments WILL NOT be used for final grading but will allow students to evaluate their understanding of various topics and practice for the final exam.
The goal of the exam is to assess the level of knowledge and mastery of the topics covered during the course, as well as the reasoning skills developed by the students. The exam will consist of a written test divided into two sections: one focused on general chemistry and the other on organic chemistry. Each section will be graded independently, and the final grade will be the average of the two section grades.
General Chemistry Written Test
The test will include:
i) A series of multiple-choice questions (some of which may require simple calculations);
ii) Balancing chemical reactions (both regular and redox);
iii) Solving exercises related to the following topics:
Ponderal relationships between reactants and products;
Gaseous systems, gas laws, and kinetic theory;
Solutions, calculation of concentrations and dilutions;
Colligative properties;
Dissociation equilibria in acid and base solutions;
Hydrolysis equilibria and pH in saline solutions;
Buffer solutions;
Redox equilibria and electrochemistry.

During the written test, students will be allowed to consult the periodic table and use a calculator.
Organic Chemistry Written Test
The test will include:
i) A series of multiple-choice or true/false questions covering all the topics discussed;
ii) A series of open-ended questions on the main chemical reactions of the following compounds: alkanes, alkenes, aromatic compounds, aldehydes and ketones, amines, alcohols, carboxylic acids and derivatives;
iii) Open-ended questions on the structure and fundamental characteristics of sugars, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.
Additional Information
The detailed exam procedures will be made available on the DIR platform.

Part 1: General and Inorganic Chemistry
Physical and chemical properties of matter: Suspensions, solutions, and colloids, and their fundamental characteristics. Separation mechanisms such as dialysis and electrophoresis.
Atoms, molecules, and ions: Definitions, representations, characteristics of ionic and molecular compounds.
Atomic structure and electronic configuration. Analysis of atomic structure, electronic configuration, and the importance of the periodic table and periodic properties.
Chemical bonding. Study of ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds. Representation of molecules and inorganic compounds.
Classification and nomenclature of organic compounds.
Weak interactions. Discussion on intermolecular forces and their implications in the different states of matter.
Thermodynamics overview. State functions; Work and energy of a system, enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy.
Chemical equilibrium. Representation of chemical reactions, stoichiometric calculations, and Le Chatelier's principle. Equilibria in aqueous solutions.
States of aggregation of matter. Properties and state changes between gases, liquids, and solids. Fundamental characteristics of the liquid and solid states.
Gases. Study of the physical properties of gases, such as pressure, volume, and temperature. Introduction to kinetic theory of gases, examining the relationship between temperature and average kinetic energy. Dalton's law regarding partial pressures and Graham's law on gas diffusion. Basic gas laws (Boyle, Charles, Gay-Lussac, and Avogadro) and the ideal gas equation PV=nRT, exploring the behavior of ideal and real gases, with a focus on the Van der Waals equation. Gas solutions, chemical reactions, and stoichiometric calculations.
Solutions. Solubility, methods to express solution concentration. Non-electrolytic and electrolytic dissociation. Colligative properties and Van’t Hoff’s law.
Acids and bases: Definitions according to Arrhenius, Brønsted-Lowry, and Lewis, and the strength of acids and bases. pH calculation and concepts of hydrolysis and buffer solutions (Henderson-Hasselbalch equation). The role of buffer systems in the body.
Chemical kinetics: Study of reaction rates, reaction orders, and factors influencing reaction speed. Reaction mechanisms and catalysis.
Electrochemistry: Redox reactions, oxidation potentials, and practical applications like batteries and the Nernst equation.
Biochemistry of elements: Focus on elements like iron and phosphorus in biomolecules, and the importance of trace elements.
Part 2: Organic Chemistry and Biochemical Fundamentals
Carbon chemistry: Atomic structure of carbon and its hybridization states in bonds.
Functional groups and organic compounds: Definitions, general formulas, and IUPAC and "common use" nomenclature of organic compounds. Interaction of functional groups with aqueous solvents.
Hydrocarbons: Behavior and properties of aliphatic hydrocarbons, linear and cyclic.
Isomerism and chirality: Geometric isomerism (cis-trans), chirality, and stereochemistry. Optical properties and classification of chiral compounds.
Aromaticity and benzene: Study of the structural characteristics of benzene, resonance, and electrophilic substitution reactions. Analysis of benzene derivatives and polycyclic hydrocarbons.
Organic functional groups: Reactions of alkyl halides, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, amines, and carboxylic acids, and their derivatives (esters, amides, anhydrides). Tautomerism and reactions with ammonia derivatives.
Carboxylic acids: Study of the resonance of the carboxylate anion, behavior during hydrolysis, and reactions with derivatives of carboxylic acids.
Carbohydrates: Structure, classification, and general properties of monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Study of the glycosidic bond and biochemical implications.
Lipids: Analysis of fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, micelles, and liposomes. In-depth study of terpenes and cholesterol.
Amino acids, peptides, and proteins: Classification of amino acids, steric and acid-base properties, isoelectric and isoionic points. Peptide bonds and protein structure.
Brief overview of oxygen chemistry and oxidative stress. Formation of reactive oxygen species, mechanisms of oxidative stress, and exogenous and endogenous antioxidants.
The detailed course syllabus will be available on DIR.

Alla fine del corso, gli studenti e le studentesse avranno acquisito le conoscenze necessarie per riconoscere in maniera oggettiva le diverse caratteristiche della materia e possiederanno gli strumenti necessari per comprendere al meglio la biochimica e la chimica di laboratorio. Al termine del corso, gli studenti e le studentesse saranno in grado di:
i) riconoscere le proprietà degli elementi chimici e delle molecole inorganiche per prevedere gli effetti della loro interazione con l’organismo umano
ii) riconoscere le proprietà delle molecole biologiche in relazione alla presenza di specifici gruppi funzionali
iii) conoscere gli effetti ed il ruolo delle reazioni di ossidoriduzione nell’organismo umano
iv) comprendere il significato dei potenziali di membrana ed il loro ruolo nella fisiologia della cellula
v) calcolare la concentrazione di soluzioni saline, acidi e basi e calcolare il pH
vi) applicare i principi di cinetica chimica e termodinamica alle reazioni biochimiche
vii) possedere gli strumenti necessari per comprendere la fisiologia della respirazione, dell’equilibrio acido-base ed idrosalino