Medicine and Surgery "B" - Roma Azienda Policlinico Umberto I

VALERIO CONSALVI
VALERIO CONSALVI

Understanding the chemical-physical foundations of biological phenomena
Demonstrate a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of chemistry, including concepts of atomic structure, chemical bonding, and properties of molecules.
Explain key biochemical principles such as the structure and function of biomolecules and molecular interactions.
Cognitive Skills

Analyze and interpret experimental data in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry by applying theoretical concepts learned during the course.
Integrate chemical and biochemical knowledge to understand drug mechanisms of action and the molecular basis of diseases.
Practical Skills and Professionalism

Apply acquired knowledge to interpret laboratory data, formulate hypotheses, and draw valid conclusions.
Communicate learned content and concepts clearly and accurately, both verbally and graphically, using appropriate scientific terminology.
Transversal Skills

Work collaboratively in groups to solve problems.
Demonstrate adaptability and autonomous learning skills, continuing to develop their competencies in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry, even after obtaining a degree in Medicine.

The purpose of this Course, lasting one academic term, is to provide the students with the fundamentals of Chemistry to improve the understanding of the main chemical processes relevant for the human body. The student learn the basic general, inorganic and organic chemistry preliminary to the study of biochemistry, physiology and pathology

High school basic Chemistry and Physics

GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
-Exponentials and logarithms: calculus. Units of measurements in Chemistry. Significant digits.
-Gases: relations amongst volume, pressure, temperature and matter. Molecules, atoms and their relative and absolute weights. Chemistry symbols and formulas. Avogadro’s number. Kinetic theory of gases. Kinetic energy and temperature. Real and ideal gases. Equation of state of gases. Dalton’s law.
Mid-term goal
The detailed quantitative knowledge of the gases laws contribute to a rational approach to the study of the respiratory exchange in biochemistry and physiology.
-Atomic number and mass number. Atoms models. Quantum numbers and atomic orbitals. Periodic table of elements. Elements of bio-medical and odontoiatric interest: calcium, phosphorus, fluorine and noble metals. Stable and radioactive isotopes. Radioactive decays and half lives. Biological effects of ionizing radiations. Nuclear chemistry. Interactions between atoms and ions.
-Main types of chemical bond. Ionization potentials and electron affinity. Molecular orbitals. Covalent bonds. σ and π bonds. Energy, length and angles of the main chemical bonds. Geometry of molecules and atomic orbitals. Elements electronegativity and covalent bond polarity. Coordination bondings. Chelate complexes. Weak interactions: hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals forces, London dispersion forces.
Mid-term goal
The comprehension of the importance of the main chemical bonds, particularly the weak interactions, is important to understand the molecular basis of the biological systems.
-States of matter. Types of crystalline solids: ionic, covalent, molecular and metallic; amorphous solids. Properties of liquids. Solutions. Solutions: concentration units. Water: structure and properties
-Solutes: electrolytes and non-electrolytes. Saturated solutions and solubility. Solubilization and factors affecting solubility. Ideal solutions. Colligative properties. Osmosis and its biological relevance. Gases solubility in liquids.
Mid-term goal
The comprehension of the effect of solutes in aqueous solvent is preliminary to the study of several biological processes, e.g. solvent exchanges from cells and body temperature regulation.
-Properties of chemical reactions. Reversibility. Chemical equilibrium in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. Law of mass action and equilibrium constants.
-Le Chatelier principle. Changes in equilibrium systems: temperature, pressure and reagent concentration effects.
-Poorly soluble solutes and solubility products. Outline about the thermodynamic relations in the chemical processes.
Mid-term goal
The knowledge of the general properties of chemical reactions and of chemical equilibrium is preliminary to the correct understanding of the chemical reactivity and of the role of enzymes as biological catalysts.
-Ionic equilibria in aqueous solutions. Acidity and basicity. Acid and base strength.
- Conjugate acid-base pairs. pH: definition and uses. Acid-base titration.
- Hydrolysis in salt solution.
-Buffer solutions and biological buffer systems.
Mid-term goal
The definition of acid / base system and the study of the buffer systems are the starting points to study the physiological pH homeostasis
-Redox reactions. State and number of oxidation. Half-reaction and the redox couple concept. Normal potential.
-Nernst equation. Relation between the cell electromotive force and the system equilibrium constant. The concentration cell. Potentiometric pH measurements. Electrolysis.
Mid-term goal
The definition of redox couples and redox potential is preliminary to the understanding of electrons exchange in biology, e.g. during respiration.
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
-The functional groups. Reactivity centers. The alkanes. Physical properties. Conformational isomerism. Alkyl radicals and hyperconjugation. Alkanes pyrolysis and petroleum. Alkanes combustion. Reactions with halogens. The cicloalkanes and their conformations.
-Stereoisomerism. Chiral molecules. Optical activity. Absolute configurations. Fischer projections. Diasteroisomers. Physical properties of haloalkanes.
- Nucleophilic substitution (bimolecular and unimolecular substitution): kinetics, stereochemistry and solvent effect. Bimolecular and unimolecular elimination reaction.
-The alcohols. Physical properties. Acidity and basicity. Alcohols synthesis. Organometallic reagents. Alcoholates e carbocations. Carbocations rearrangements. Alcohols oxydation.
-Ethers. Thiols and disulfides.
- The alkenes. Structures and physical characteristics. Reactions of alkenes. hydrogenation
Catalytic. Electrophilic addition and its regioselectivity. Hydroboration. Oxidation.
Radical Addition. Synthesis of polymers.
- Alkynes. Structure and reactivity.
-The carbonyl group. Physical properties of aldehydes and ketones. Preparations of aldehydes and ketones. Carbonyl group reactivity. Addition mechanisms. Acetals. Imines.
Cyanohydrin. Oxidation of aldehydes and ketones. Enolates. Ketoenolic balance.
Aldol condensation.
- Carboxylic acids. Acidity and basicity of carboxylic acids. Carboxylic group reactivity. Addition-elimination mechanism.
- Foreigners. Mechanism of acid catalyzed esterification and hydrolysis.
Lactones. Lactams. Imides. Fatty acids. Soaps. Saponification.
-L'aromaticità. Aromatic electrophilic substitution mechanism. Halogenation, nitration, sulfonation, alkylation of benzene. Activation and deactivation of the benzene ring. Substituted benzenes. Polycyclic hydrocarbons and benzenoids.
Heteroatomas in cyclic compounds.
- Carbohydrates. Carbohydrate oxidation.
- The amines.
-Amino. Titration curves of amino acids. The peptide bond.
Preliminary intermediate objective
The study of organic chemistry is aimed at understanding the importance of the role played by the carbon atom in the construction of the main cellular and organism constituents. The knowledge of the chemical reactivity properties of the main functional groups is the essential premise to the rational study of the biochemical processes that take place in the cell.
The topics of the program will be carried out according to the following time line:
First part: General and Inorganic Chemistry
Second part: Organic chemistry
Third part: Introductory Biochemistry

Testi di riferimento:
Handbooks & Manuals:
Atkins PW & Jones L Principi di Chimica Zanichelli
• ISBN: 8808197883
• ISBN-13: 9788808197887
Masterton WL & Hurley CN Chimica, principi e reazioni Piccin Nuova libraria
ISBN: 8829918547
ISBN 13: 9788829918546
Whitten, Davis, Peck and Stanley Chimica Piccin Nuova libraria
ISBN: 978-88-299-2033-4
Brown WH & Poon T. Introduzione alla Chimica organica Edises
• ISBN: 8879593277
• ISBN-13: 9788879593274
Qualsiasi altro testo di Chimica è appropriato.
Hart, Craine, Hart Chimica Organica. ed. Zanichelli
Brown, Iverson, Anslyn, Foote Chimica Organica. Ed Edises

Not provided for

Frontal lessons with computer aided learning

70% attendance to be admitted to the final exam

The written test is intended to ascertain the level of preparation of the student and students who report insufficient score are advised against supporting the oral exam.
The student should be able to discuss in general terms about the topics in program

The written test is intended to ascertain the level of preparation of the student and students who report insufficient score are advised against supporting the oral exam.
The student should be able to discuss in general terms about the topics in program