CHEMISTRY OF NATURAL ORGANIC SUBSTANCES
cod. 00111

Academic year 2009/10
2° year of course - First semester
Professor
Academic discipline
Chimica organica (CHIM/06)
Field
Discipline organiche
Type of training activity
Characterising
32 hours
of face-to-face activities
4 credits
hub: -
course unit
in - - -

Learning objectives

Aim of the course is the study of the main biological pathways that produce secondary metabolites. Their metabolic, physiological and pharmaceutical role will be discussed either in the producing organisms or in the receiving organisms

Prerequisites

To get through the examination of Organic Chemistry

Course unit content

<br />Module 1- <br />Energy, work, order; energy preservation and thermodynamic laws; energy fluxes in nature and in systems far from equilibrium. Evolution in biological systems; Prebiotic chemistry, biological homochirality, prokariotes and eukariotes, Catabolism, harvesting the light. Enzymes and coenzymes; role of enzymes and coenzymes in biological catalysis;  vitamines.<br />Module 2- <br />Terpenes; biogenesis of  terpenes, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, natural rubber; squalene e phitoene, carotenoids, cicle of vision.<br />Steroids; biogenesis of steroids, squalene, lanosterol, cholesterol; corticosteroids, sexual hormones, bile salts; physiological role.<br />Fatty acids; biogenesis of saturated, monounsaturated, poliunsaturated fatty acis; Biogenesis of prostaglandines, tromboxanes, leukotrienes, lipoxines; physiological role.<br />Acetogenines; biogenesis of acetogenines, flavanoids.<br />Antibiotics; biogenesis and physiological role of the antibiotics; mechanisms of action of  antibiotics.<br />Shikimic acid; biogenesis of the shikimic acid; aromatic ammino acids, tetracyclines.<br />Alcaloids; nomenclature, classification and biological role; biogenesis of selected compounds.

Full programme

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Bibliography

P. M. Dewick, Chemistry, biosyntesis and bioactivity of organic natural substances, Piccin, Padova

Teaching methods

<br />Frontal lectures.<br />Oral examination

Assessment methods and criteria

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Other information

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