General Chemistry

Academic year: 2010-2011 Course code module 1BBIO-04 Semester: 1st semester Credits: 6 Study load (hours) 168 Theory (hours): 40,00 Practice/Exercises(hours): 30,00 Other (hours): Part-time program: 1/2 Instructor(s) Lucien Nagels Language of instruction: Dutch Semester exam information: exam in the 1st semester Contract restriction information: 1. Prerequisites *Algemene competenties Lewis structures of simple chemical compounds, the mole concept, balancing simple chemical equations, to work with molar concentrations, write chemical formulae for basic chemicals. To know the oxidation-reduction concept, balancing simple redox equations. Basics of the pH concept, knowing some common strong and weak acids and bases. *Sequentiality None 2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) Knowledge of basic (secondary school) Chemistry. Understanding ionic equilibria (dissolution and sedimentation) in nature. Knowing which principles determine the structure and behavior of gases, liquids, solids and rubber phase (bio)materials, and how bio-materials are composed. Insight in pH, effects of pH on bio-molecules, and working principle of natural (blood, sea,..) buffer systems. Explaining the structure of molecules (from small to large) with the most popular models. Being able to use freeware programs Chemsketch and Rasmol for small molecules,  large biomolecules, and mineral systems. The thermochemistry and thermodynamics concepts are applied to living organisms. Apply equations from chemical reaction kinetics (0th, 1st and 2nd order) to bio-systems. Explain potentials on (bio)surfaces, and redox status using electrochemical concepts. Understand the behavior of colloïdal systems, separated by semi-permeable and osmotic membranes.   3. Course content The first part of the course reviews basic chemistry from secondary school (types of chemical reactions, stoichiometry, the mole concept, using molar concentrations). The main part is specialized, and applied to Biological systems. A Chemical equilibrium section deals with ionic equilibria active in biomineralization and in dissolution/sedimentation phenomena. The structure of matter is investigated starting with a dynamic model of gases, characteristics of liquids explained by intermolecular forces, solid states (bone material) and rubber state (tissues). A chapter on pH shows how molecules change the pH, and how the pH changes (bio)molecules (charges, effect on solubility, electrophoretic mobility..). Special attention is given to natural buffer systems such as blood and sea water.  The most popular Molecular models used in Chemistry are overviewed (Lewis, hybridisation concept, Molecular Orbital, complexes) with small and large (e.g. hemoglobin, ferredoxin..) molecules, and with diatomic molecules with high Biological interest (NO, O2-, 1O2). The professional freeware Chemsketch, Rasmol, and Chime is used throughout, spanning small molecules and Molecular Biology components. Thermochemistry treats calorimetry with energy balances for the conversion of food energy to work and heat (cooling by evaporation). The Thermodynamic Gibbs free energy concept is applied to active intercellular transport of molecules.. In Reaction kinetics, the equations from chemical kinetics are applied to natural phenomena such as breakdown of a drug or ethanol in blood. It is shown how the equations will appear later in enzyme kinetics. Electrochemical principles such as energy storage, potential buildup at surfaces, redox status .. are treated in the practical session.  Solutions and Colloidal systems looks at the more complex water mixtures that are dealt with in nature (inter- and intracellular fluids, ecosystems..) and the membranes encountered in such. Water movements are explained by osmotic and hydrostatic pressures, and by the chemical potential concept.    4. Teaching method Direct contact: Lectures Exercise sessions Practical sessions Personal work: Exercises Assignments - individual Portfolio 5. Assessment method Exam: Written, without oral presentation Continuous assessment: Exercises Assignments Written assignment: Without oral presentation Portfolio: Without oral presentation 6. Compulsory reading – study material The book "Algemene Chemie voor de medische en biomedische wetenschappen en voor de natuurwetenschappen", authored by Luc Nagels, ACCO Leuven/Voorburg, ISBN 90-334-5974-4. www.acco.be. Available at Standaard bookshop or via internet. Practicum notes available at the university. 7. Recommended reading - study material Freeware software Chemsketch, Rasmol, Chime, can be downloaded from the website of the book (www.acco.be, look for author Luc Nagels, or from other websites). 8. Tutoring Students can receive free study guidance. laatste aanpassing: last update: 08/06/2009 16:16 luc.nagels