Retrieval of inorganic chemistry
Organic chemistry
Aliphatic- cyclic, saturated- unsaturated, aromatic molecules
Functional groups and reactivity
Glucides, lipids, fatty acids, proteins
Biochemistry
Enzymes and bio-energetic
Catabolism and Anabolism
Photosynthesis
Secondary metabolism
Plant nutrient up take strategies
Didactics of the teaching of biochemistry and organic chemistry concerning the theoretical frameworks and the laboratory activity
G.W. Solomons "Organic Chemistry" Ed. Zanichelli
J. McMurry "Organic Chemistry" Ed. Zanichelli
W.H. Brown "Introduction to Organic Chemistry" EdiSES
Bosetto, Lozzi. Elementi di biochimica agraria. Aracne Ed. Pinton, Cocucci, Nannipieri, Trevisan. Fondamenti di Biochimica Agraria. Patron Ed.
Lea J.P., Leegood R.C. Plant biochemistry and molecular biology. Wiley Ed.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives -
Competence acquired (at the end of the course): basic known of organic chemistry and plant biochemistry to allow the student to understand the most important biological processes that characterized plant life.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
Prerequisites
Students are expected to be familiar with the principles and terminology of inorganic chemistry and with the morphology, anatomy and physiology of plants
Teaching Methods
CFU: 9
Total hours of the course: 216
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities: 144
Contact hours for lectures: 60
Laboratory/practice: 6
Seminars/excursions:6
Stages: 0
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab., although not compulsory, is recommended
Teaching tools: Video projector, PC, overhead projector, labs
Type of Assessment
Exam modality: oral examination on the subjects of lectures and laboratory
Course program
Retrieval of inorganic chemistry:
Description of the periodic table of the elements
Electronegativity of the elements
Atomic orbitals and their hybridization (sp1, sp2, sp3)
Type of bonds: homo-polar and hetero-polar; single , double and triple; covalent, electrostatic bonds
Resonance formulas
Red-Ox reactions
Acid-and base theory (Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, Lewis )
The pH and solubility definition
Organic chemistry
Aliphatic and cyclic molecules
Saturated and unsaturated molecules
Molecular stability: optimal binding angle, cis and trans conformation, eclipsed and staggered conformation, chair and boat conformation
Chirality and a-chirality concepts
Cyclized aromatic molecules
Reactive group definition and its relevance on the molecule reactivity
Description of hydrocarbons, alcohols , phenols, aldehydes and ketones, lipids, fatty acids, amines
Type of reactions: additive, substitutive and reductive
Description of ether, epoxy, ester bounds
Molecular reactive mechanisms: nucleophilic and electrophile attack
Introduction to the main organic molecules with biochemical relevance: glucides, lipids, fatty acids and proteins
Biochemistry
The metabolism: anabolism and catabolism, Bio-energetic and enzymatic activity.
Catabolism: glucides, fatty acids and proteins degradation; Citric Acids Cycle.
Anabolism: mithocondrial ATP synthesis, photosynthesis light dependent phase (ATP synthesis and reductive power production); photosynthesis light independent phase (C3 plants); lipids and proteins biosynthesis.
Secondary metabolism: major classes of secondary products and their functions in plant.
Plant adaptation to abiotic stress: climatic stress (C4, CAM and Chlororespiration); water and salinity stress (pectin and trehalose), nutrient deficit stress (Nitrogen) N2 fixing and flesh eating plants .
The rhizosphere: root exudates and their relevance in plant nutrient uptake; plant nutrient uptake strategy for nitrogen (NH4+; NO3-); iron and phosphate uptake .
Seminars
Laboratory safety rules: how to approach activities in laboratory
Introduction to the main molecular techniques based on DNA/RNA, fatty acid and protein molecules analysis
Laboratory exercitations
Approach to the main handling activities: how to prepare a solution, how to determine solution pH, how to pipetting, how to prepare an agarose gel
DNA extraction from environmental samples