Ateneo - UPO

The course will be structured in two parts: general chemistry and organic chemistry. In the general chemistry part, the structure and the states of matter will be addressed. The following topics will be investigated: i) the structure of the atom and the periodic properties; ii) the properties of gases, with specific details regarding the physiology of breathing; iii) the properties of fluids and solutions, with particular attention to colligative properties and to measurement and calculation of concentrations; iv) compounds and chemical reactions; v) chemical equilibria, chemical kinetic and the role played by catalytic converters; vi) basic acid balances and buffer solutions, with in-depth analysis of the maintenance of acid-base balance in the human body; vi) electrochemical potential and redox reactions.
The organic chemistry part will include: i) the structure and the chemical-physical characteristics of the organic functional groups; ii) the carbon bonds and its different oxidation states; iii) the structure and chemical-physical features of the main organic molecules and the most relevant reactions from a biological point of view to which they participate; iv) structure, classification and definition of the chemical-physical features of the main classes of molecules and macromolecules of biological interest (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and polypeptides and nucleic acids).

- Bettelheim, Chimica e Propedeutica Biochimica, EdiSES
- Anastasia, Chimica di base per le scienze della Vita. Volumi 1 e 2 Delfino Editore.
- Tiziana Bellini, Chimica medica e propedeutica biochimica
Con applicazioni cliniche
Seconda edizione
Revisione scientifica e medica di F. Dallocchio e R. Alvisi, 2024

The general aim of this course is to provide the basis for understanding the principles governing the chemical and chemical-physical processes of matter to know how to apply them to human physiology in the state of health and illness. In particular, this course will provide tools necessary to: i) know the role of different types of bonds and intermolecular interactions in determining the structure of matter; ii) recognize the specific features of elements and compounds and the way they react; iii) understanding and applying the laws that describe the behavior of gases, the properties of liquid-gaseous, liquid-liquid and liquid-solid solutions; iv) acquire the necessary skills for the calculation of concentrations; v) solve problems related to chemical reactions and chemical equilibria, in particular the acid-base balance with pH calculation; iv) recognize the functional groups and classes of the main organic compounds, as well as their chemical-physical characteristics and the main reactions to which they can participate; v) recognize the functional groups and the biological molecules, as well as their chemical-physical features. At the end of the course students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the processes that govern the human organism, including respiration, maintenance of hydro-saline and base-acidic balance, membrane potential and reducing potential of a cell. They will also acquire the basic knowledge on the structure of organic and biological molecules necessary to put in relationship the structure with the chemical-physical properties of the molecule itself and to be able to tackle the study of metabolic processes.

Basic knowledge in mathematics, physics and cell biology.

Frontal lessons with slides presentation. Execution of problems, quizzes and exposition of cases in the classroom to guide the student to their resolution.
Running problems, quizzes and case resolution at home using the moodle platform.
Some in-depth studies regarding the chemistry applied to the health and physiology of the human organism will be available to students as lecture notes.
For the preparation of the exam students can use the material provided by the teacher and the recommended textbooks.

A pdf copy of the projected slides, the in-depth material and all the information regarding the course and the methods of examination will be made available on the DIR (https://www.dir.uniupo.it/).
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

During the course, in itinere tests will be carried out. These tests will NOT be used for the final evaluation, but to allow students to assess their level of preparation and to practice for passing the exam.
The objective of the exam consists in verifying the level of knowledge of the course program topics and the reasoning skills developed by the student. The exam will consist in a written test including a part dedicated to general chemistry and a part dedicated to organic chemistry. The evaluation of each part is carried out independently, and the final mark is calculated by the average of the marks obtained in the two parts.
The general chemistry exam will include: i) 10 questions with multiple choice answers (some may require the resolution of simple problems, 1.5 points for each correct answer, max 15 points); ii) balancing of 4 reactions (normal and redox, 0.5 points per reaction, max 2 points); iii) 5 open-ended exercises (1 to 3 points will be assigned to each solved exercise depending on the degree of accuracy in the execution) and concerning the following topics: the gaseous state and gas laws; solutions: calculation of concentrations; solutions: colligative properties; calculation of the pH of acidic or basic solutions and calculation of the pH of buffer solutions.
The organic chemistry exam will consist of 10 questions with multiple choice answers (or true false, 1.4 points for correct answer, max 14 points) and 6 open questions (1 to 3 points will be assigned according to the degree of precision and accuracy in the execution, max 18 points)
During the written test the use of the periodic table and of the calculator are allowed.

Part 1_ General and inorganic chemistry
Physical and chemical properties of matter. Suspensions, solutions and colloids. Dialysis, electrophoresis. Atoms, molecules, and ions: definition and representation. Ionic and molecular compounds.
The atomic structure and electronic configuration of atoms. The periodic table and periodic properties.
The chemical bond and formation of molecules: ionic, covalent and metallic bond. Representation of molecules Inorganic compounds and their nomenclature.
Weak interactions. The states of aggregation of matter: properties of the gaseous, liquid and solid state. State changes.
The solutions. Solubility. Ways to express the concentration of a solution. The electrolytic dissociation. Properties of solutions: colligative properties, van't Hoff's law.
Chemical reactions and chemical equilibrium. Representations of reactions and stoichiometric calculations. The equilibrium constant, chemical equilibrium and law of mass action, Le Chatelier's principle; Guldberg and Waage law. Equilibria in aqueous solution: ionic dissociation of water; ionic product of water, Kw, pKw, pH, pOH; acids and bases, definition, according to Broensted and Lowry and Lewis, the theory of Arrhenius; strength of acids and bases, Ka and Kb. Calculation of the pH of a solution of strong acid or base, of weak acid or base. Polyprotic acids and their equilibria in solution. Acid Base Reactions: neutralization. Salt hydrolysis. Solubility product. pH of salt solutions. Buffer solution: Henderson – Hasselbalch equation
Role of buffer systems in the body. pH measurement. Acid Base titrations: the indicators.
Chemical kinetics and thermodynamics. Reaction rate and order of reactions; speed constant. Kinetics of Chemical Reactions. Effects on reaction rate. reaction mechanisms. Catalysis
Electrochemistry. Oxidation-Reduction reactions, oxidation number. Chemical Work and Electrical Work. Oxidation potentials. Electrochemical series of elements. Fleece. Nernst equation
Biochemistry of the elements: iron in biomolecules; phosphorus and phosphoric esters in nucleotides. Biochemistry of trace elements and trace elements

Part 2_Organic Chemistry and biochemical propaedeutics
The chemistry of carbon. Atomic structure of carbon and hybridization states of carbon bonds.
Functional groups and organic compounds: definition, general formula, structural formula and nomenclature based on IUPAC and "use" rules and properties. Linear and cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, halogen derivatives; thiol derivatives aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, acid derivatives, anhydrides and esters. Nitrogen compounds: amides, amines.
Interaction of functional groups with aqueous solvent.
Geometric isomerism (cis-trans and positional). Chirality: stereogenic atoms. Optical properties and classification of chiral compounds.
Aromaticity: benzene: structural characteristics. Resonance. Electrophilic substitution reaction. Derivatives of benzene and other polycyclic hydrocarbons
Organic functional groups and general characteristics of their reactions: of alcohols and thioalcohols, aldehydes and ketones; resonance of the carbonyl group. Keto-enol tautomerism. Formation of hemiacetals and acetals; reactions with ammonia derivatives (amines) with the formation of imino derivatives (Schiff bases). Reactions of carboxylic acids: acid constant, Ka, carboxylate anion resonance, Carboxylic acid derivatives (acyl halides, esters, amides, anhydrides) and hydrolysis behavior. Amines.

Part 3_The biomolecules
Carbohydrates. Structure, classification and general properties of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides. The glycosidic bond.
Lipids. Fatty acids, triglycerides and phospholipids: structure, nomenclature and chemical-physical properties. Micelles and liposomes. Terpenes and cholesterol.
Amino acids, peptides and proteins. Amino acids: classification; steric and acid-base properties. Isoelectric and isoionic point. The peptide or amide bond.
Nucleotides and nucleic acids. Notes on the chemical structure of nucleosides and nucleotides. Elucidation of their chemical formula of nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleic acids.

At the end of the course the students will have acquired the necessary knowledge to objectively recognize the different characteristics of the matter and will possess the necessary tools to better understand the biochemistry and laboratory chemistry.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Recognize the properties of chemical elements and inorganic molecules to predict the effects of their interaction with the human organism
- Recognize the properties of biological molecules in relation to the presence of specific functional groups
- Know the effects and the role of redox reactions in the human body
- Understand the meaning of membrane potentials and their role in cell physiology
- Calculate the concentration of saline solutions, acids and bases and calculate the pH
- Apply the principles of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics to biochemical reactions
- Possess the necessary tools to understand the physiology of respiration, acid-base and hydro saline balance.