The course of Trace Elements in Human Nutrition has the aim to provide students the main bases of trace elements physiologically important for human nutrition. It takes into account the role of metal ions within the biologic systems whit emphasis on nutritional aspects and their possible toxicity. The role of transition metal ions into some important biological and nutritional processes will be studied in detail.

- General introduction.

- The transition metals.

- Macroelements and microelements.

- Identification of essential trace elements.

- The case of Selenium.

- Catalytic role of trace elements.

- Bioinorganic chemistry of Zinc, Iron and Copper.

- Complementarity of essential trace elements.

- State of deficiency or excess of trace elements.

- Food sources of main trace elements and their bioavailability.

- Modifications induced by heating.

- Control and utilization of main trace elements.

- Water as food, the mineral water.

None

D1 - Knowledge and understanding ability
Students will have to be able to describe the properties of the enzymes and complexes studied. Students will have to be able to describe the metallo-proteins studied during the course, managing the molecular geometries and the metal-ligand preferences and host-guest selectivity. 

D2 - Application of knowledge and understanding
Student will have to be able to utilize the correct chemistry language, to draw the molecular and structural formula of the coordination compounds, to manage the metal-ligand selectivity in aqueous solution, to know and use the thermodynamic stability constants and to know the role of the metal ion in the catalytic system. The achievement of these abilities will be tested through oral examination.

D3 - Judgement autonomy
Student will have to be able to estimate the role played by the substances in the catalytic systems, the protein ligands and the role played by specific substrates. This knowledge will be essential in order to interpret the behavior of more complex systems tackled in the next teaching. The achievement of these abilities will be tested through oral questions aimed at estimate them.

D4 - Communication ability
Student will have to be able to clearly describe the chemical phenomena learned in the course with appropriate language and examples.

D5 - Learning ability
Student will have to be able to grow autonomously and critically their scientific knowledges by using the teaching material provided by the teacher and any other book or scientific article provided by themselves. These abilities will be stimulated by the teacher proposing and resolving some problems.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Self-evaluation test on completion of the course

Teaching

The course will consist in lecturers

Attendance

Attendance is strongly suggested.

Course books

1) "Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry"; S.J. Lippard, J.M. Berg; University Science Books. 2) "Bioinorganic Chemistry"; I. Bertini, H.B. Gray, S.J. Lippard, J.S. Valentine; University Science Books.

Assessment

Oral examination. To verify  the level of knowledges, it will be asked at least 3 questions regarding the topics of the course. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieth and for its determination account will be taken of the knowledge of the arguments, their exposure, the correct use of the appropriate terminology, the ability to reason and the ability to make connections between the different topics.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Course books

1) "Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry"; S.J. Lippard, J.M. Berg; University Science Books. 2) "Bioinorganic Chemistry"; I. Bertini, H.B. Gray, S.J. Lippard, J.S. Valentine; University Science Books.

Assessment

Oral examination. To verify  the level of knowledges, it will be asked at least 3 questions regarding the topics of the course. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieth and for its determination account will be taken of the knowledge of the arguments, their exposure, the correct use of the appropriate terminology, the ability to reason and the ability to make connections between the different topics.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.