Programme (short version for Diploma Supplement):
Retrieval of inorganic chemistry
The periodic table of the elements
Electronegativity
Atomic orbital hybridization, type of atomic bonds
Acid-base, pH, solubility definitions
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 t
L. Scarponi . Biochimica agraria. Patron ed.
Bosetto, Lozzi – Elementi di biochimica agraria. G.W. Solomons "Fondamenti di Chimica Organica" Ed. Zanichelli
J. McMurry "Chimica Organica" Ed. Zanichelli
W.H. Brown "Introduzione alla Chimica Organica" EdiSES
Aracne ed.
Learning Objectives
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): improvement of forestry management capacity
Prerequisites
Students are axpected to be familiar with the principles and terminology of inorganic chemistry, the morphology, anatomy and physiology of plants
Teaching Methods
Frontal lessons
Number of hours for personal study and other educational paths: 10
Number of hours of frontal lessons: 2
Number of hours for laboratory activities: 6
Further information
Use of projector, personal computer, laboratory equipment
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