Chemistry for Biologists 2

This second course unit in general chemistry aims to consolidate and deepen students’ understanding of reactions in aqueous solution, particularly those involving the formation of metal complexes. The principles of thermodynamics will be introduced and applied to the study of chemical equilibria of biological interest. Rather than presenting the material using a mathematical framework that would require a much greater number of class hours, students will be asked to understand the physical meaning of these principles and the main thermodynamic functions, as well as their applications to chemical systems—often of biological interest. In particular, resting membrane potentials and the use of pH-potential diagrams in biology will be covered.

Students will work through course materials (written and audio) in advance of certain lectures and tutorials so that the in-person instruction during lectures and tutorials will enable them to actively participate in the program, understand the concepts presented, and acquire the necessary skills.

To provide biology students with a foundation in aqueous solution chemistry and thermodynamics so that they can apply these concepts to explain a chemical phenomenon of biological interest. The areas of knowledge and skills to be acquired are as follows:

Applications of the law of mass action to the study of chemical equilibria in aqueous solutions. The concepts introduced in the first year of undergraduate studies will be explored in greater depth and supplemented by a study of complexation reactions.

Metal complexes, applications in biology

The principles and applications of thermodynamics in understanding chemical equilibria that may be coupled, the resting membrane potential, and the applications of pH-potential diagrams in biology.

The objective of this course is to provide biology students with the basic knowledge and skills they need to apply them to understanding biological processes.

All the concepts covered in the General Chemistry course for first-year biology students

For students who have not fully mastered these concepts in their first year, course materials—including videos and practice exercises—will be provided. Students will be expected to have mastered all of these concepts, and they will be assessed on them.