Learning objectives
On the basis of the electronic structure of the atom, to rationalize the properties of pure substance, either the inorganic/organic compounds and the biological macromolecules.
Course unit content
General chemistry <br />
Physical and chemical transformations, elements and compounds. Atom components; ions. Atomic and molecular mass; mole. Electronic configuration of elements. Periodic Table of Elements. <br />
Chemical bonding: ionic, covalent bonding. Shape and polarity of water, methane and ammonia molecules. Hydrogen bonding and other intermolecular forces. <br />
Water as a solvent. Properties of solutions. Expressing solute concentration in percent fractions w/w, w/v, molarity. Significance of osmotic pressure. <br />
Chemical kinetics: molecular collisions theory and activation energy. Factors affecting the chemical reaction rate: presence of catalysts. Free energy (G) and spontaneity of reactions. Enzymes, coenzymes and biological oxidation-reduction reactions. <br />
Chemical equilibrium. The equilibrium constant and Le Chatelier’s principle. <br />
Ionic dissociation of water, definition of pH. Acidic and basic compounds, acid-base equilibria. Strength of acids and bases. The effect of a buffer solution; physiological buffer systems. <br />
Organic chemistry and propedeutic biochemistry. <br />
Hydrocarbons: aliphatic and aromatic compounds, nomenclature. <br />
Functional groups: classification and features. Alcohols, ethers, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amines. <br />
Principal carbohydrates: monosaccharides (glucose, fructose), disaccharides, polysaccharides. Lipids: fatty acids, glycerides. Amminoacids and proteins, the peptide bond. Notions of protein structure. Composition and structure of nucleic acids. <br />
Thermodynamics of biological reactions. ATP and cellular metabolism. Oxidation and degradation reactions, biosynthetic reactions. <br />
Bibliography
La chimica in moduli (A-H), Ed. Zanichelli <br />
Authors: Valitutti, Tifi, Gentile <br />
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons aided by presentations and animations files. Oral exam.