Biochem Flashcards

1
Q

This is the final common pathway to completely metabolize major energy fuels into CO2, water and energy:

A

C. Citric acid cycle

A. Embden Meyerhoff Pathway
- Glycolysis; converts glucose → pyruvate

B. Electron Transport Chain
- redox reactions that transfer electrons from an electron donor to an electron acceptor

C. Citric Acid Cycle
- key metabolic pathway that connects carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism

D. Hexose Monophosphate Shunt
- Products: NADPH (used in fatty acid synthesis), ribose 5-phosphate (used in nucleotides and nucleic acids synthesis), erythrose 4-phosphate (used in aromatic amino acid synthesis)

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2
Q

Transamination of this amino acid will produce ketoacids that can lead to glucose synthesis:

A. Aspartate
B. Lysine
C. Threonine
D. Leucine

A

A. Aspartate

KETOGENIC: Lysine, Leucine

Glucogenic PITTT

  • Phenylalanine, Isoleucine
  • Tryptophan, Tyrosine, Threonine
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3
Q

The reason for metastasis or the detachment of cancer cells from the main tumor to spread to other tissues:

A. Activation of the E2F family of transcription factors

B. Binding of APC protein to catenin
causing cell proliferation

C. Mutation of the Patched and Smoothened co-receptor genes

D. Non-expression of cadherin-E, a necessary
protein for cell-to-cell adhesion

A

D. Non-expression of cadherin-E, a necessary

protein for cell-to-cell adhesion

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4
Q

This antioxidant vitamin may be considered to have anti-aging effect due to it’s radical scavenging property

A. A
B. D
C. E
D. K

A

Vit. E

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are all fat-soluble vitamins but only vitamin E is an antioxidant. Vitamin C (water-soluble) is also an antioxidant

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5
Q

Prolonged hyperglycemia can lead to cell aging. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed through

A. Covalent modification of histone proteins

B. D to L racemization of component amino acids in proteins

C. Non-enzymatic glycosylation of proteins

D. Reduction of sugar components of glycoproteins into sugar alcohols

A

C. Non-enzymatic glycosylation of proteins

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6
Q
Mutations at the G-C sequences of DNA occur quite often due to conversion of 5- methycytosine to thymine through what reaction?
A. Reduction 
B. Oxidation
C. Deamination 
D. Hydrolysis
A

C - Deamination

Deamination refers to the removal of amino acid group from bases. Usual bases cytosine and 5-methylcytosine undergoes deamination. 5-methyl cytosine -> Thymine

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7
Q
Major coenzyme involved in amino acid metabolism is:R
A. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
B. Lipoic acid
C. Pyridoxal phosphate
D. Thiamine pyrophosphate
A

C - Pyridoxal Phosphate

Pyridoxal phosphate transfers amino group in transamination of amino acids; decarboxylation of amino acids, and racemization of amino acids.

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8
Q
At the subcellular level of organization of metabolism, which of the following events will be found exclusively in the mitochondria?
A. Glycolysis
B. Synthesis of palmitate 
C. Ketone bodies synthesis 
D. Gluconeogenesis
A

C - Ketone bodies synthesis

Increased rate of fatty acid oxidation during prolonged fasting results in the formation of ketone bodies through the liver and kidney mitochondrial matrix. Ketogenesis takes place in the mitochondria of the liver.

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9
Q
Intracellularly, glucose becomes the initial substrate of metabolic processes in this form:
A. Glucose 1-PO4
B. Glucuronic acid
C. Glucose 6-PO4
D. UDP-Glucose
A

C - Glucose 6-PO4

Glucose is irreversibly phosphorylated to glucose 6-phosphate by the enzyme hexokinase. This reaction traps G6P in the cytosol, committing it to further metabolism in the cell.

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10
Q
The metabolic pathway considered as the final common pathway to completely metabolize major energy fuels into CO2, water and energy.
A. Embden Meyerhoff Pathway
B. Electron Transport Chain
C. Citric Acid Cycle
D. Hexose Monophosphate
Shunt
A

C. Citric Acid Cycle – Kreb’s Cycle, Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle (TCA Cycle)
is the final common oxidative pathway for carbohydrates, fats and amino acids; oxidation of acetyl CoA à CO2 + H2O
Site: mitochondrial matrix

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11
Q
The major end product of beta
oxidation of fatty acid is
A. acetoacetate
B. acetylCoA
C. propionylCoA
D. beta hydroxybutyric acid
A

The end products of fatty acid oxidation are FADH2, NADH, H+ and Acetyl CoA. FADH2 and NADH + H+ are oxidized by the mitochondrial electron transport system to yield ATP while Acetyl CoA is undergoes oxidation again in the Krebs cycle to yield CO2 and H2O.

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12
Q

During prolonged fasting and starvation, glucose homeostasis is maintained by

A. glycogenolysis
B. gluconeogenesis
C. ketogenesis
D. anaplerosis

A

B - gluconeogenesis

The brain is only capable of using glucose or ketone bodies as respiratory fuel. During prolonged starvation, the primary source of glucose is gluconeogenesis from amino acids arising from muscle proteolysis.

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13
Q

The Krebs-Henseleit Cycle in man functions principally to

A. generate carbons for amino acid synthesis and transport
B. Convert ammonia into the nontoxic and excretable form
C. provide an alternate pathway for catabolism of essential amino acid
D. maintain acid base balance

A

B

Convert ammonia into the nontoxic and excretable form

Ammonia is a toxic product of nitrogen metabolism which should be removed from our body. The urea cycle or ornithine cycle converts excess ammonia into urea in the mitochondria of liver cells. The urea forms, then enters the blood stream, is filtered by the kidneys and is ultimately excreted in the urine.

The overall reaction for urea formation from ammonia is as follows: 2 Ammonia + CO2 + 3ATP —> urea + water + 3 ADP

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14
Q

Chronic alcoholism leads to impaired metabolic consequences due to which of the following initial
effect of increased alcohol ingestion?

A. accumulation of acetylCoA and fatty acid
B. increased NADH/NAD ratio
C. decreased ATP synthesis
D. impaired gluconeogenesis
and low blood glucose levels
A

B. increased NADH/NAD ratio

These include the metabolism of alcohol leading to a shift in the cytosolic [NAD+]/[NADH] ratio to reduction, which in turn causes a direct inhibition of β- oxidation and enhanced triacylglycerol formation via the [glycerol-3- phosphate]/[dihydroxyacetone phosphate] ratio.

• There are also chronic effects of ethanol on hepatic enzyme activities.

• Thus, increased activity of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase, an increased
amount of fatty acid binding protein, decreased secretion of very low-density lipoprotein and impairment of the respiratory chain as a result of decreased protein synthesis or decreased amounts of ubiquinone could all lead to fat accumulation and steatosis.

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15
Q

Between HDL and LDL, the HDL is considered the “good” lipoprotein because it:

A. contains less free cholesterol and more cholesterol esters
B. transports cholesterol to the liver thru reverse cholesterol transport
C. is smaller in size & lower molecular weight
D. derived from VLDL and IDL

A

B. transports cholesterol to the liver thru reverse cholesterol transport

Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is a process by which cholesterol in non-hepatic tissues is transported back to the liver via plasma components, such as HDL, along with ATP binding cassette transporters, such as ABCA1 and ABCG1.

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16
Q

Which statement is true based on the normal oxygen-dissociation curve of hemoglobin and myoglobin?

A. Hemoglobin is a better oxygen transporter than myoglobin because it has a higher oxygen affinity
B. The oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve shifts to right as a consequence of Bohr effect & increased 2,3 bisphosphoglyceric acid
C. The p50 value increases when affinity of oxygen to both hemoglobin and myoglobin increases
D. The hyperbolic shape of the oxygen- myoglobin
dissociation curve reflects the positive cooperativity of oxygen binding of myoglobin

A

The causes of shift to right can be remembered using the mnemonic, “CADET, face Right!” for CO2, Acid, 2,3-DPG, Exercise and Temperature. Factors that move the oxygen dissociation curve to the right are those physiological states where tissues need more oxygen. For example, during exercise, muscles have a higher metabolic rate, and consequently need more oxygen, produce more carbon dioxide and lactic acid, and their temperature rises.

17
Q

Which of these increase HDL levels?

A. saturated fatty acids
B. w-3 PUFA in diet
C. high TAG levels
D. w-6 PUFA in diet

A

Saturated fatty acids - Inc. HDL & HDL
w-3 PUFA in diet - Dec. TAG
High TAG levels - Dec. HDL
w-6 PUFA in diet - Dec. LDL and HDL

18
Q

Which statement is true of enzymes?

A. Enzymes accelerate biochemical
reactions by increasing the energy
of activation of a reaction

B. Being a conjugated protein, the
protein portion is called a
prosthetic group

C. The active site of an enzyme is the
substrate binding site

D. An enzyme, when non
competitively inhibited, affects the Km value

A

B

**rationale on WR 2018 #16

19
Q

In which point does fatty acid synthesis differ from fatty acid oxidation?
A. takes place in the mitochondria B. requires NADH and FADH2
C. is favored by a high
insulin/glucagon ratio
D. is an energy generating process

A
Fatty Acid Synthesis
● occurs in the cytoplasm
● NADPH
● high insulin/glucagon ratio 
● energy-requiring
Fatty Acid Oxidation
● occurs in the mitochondria 
● NADH and FADH2
● low insulin/glucagon ratio 
● energy-yielding
20
Q

For which reasons are statins given in hypercholesterolemia?
A. cholesterol synthesis de novo is inhibited
B. excretion of cholesterol is promoted
C. absorption of dietary fats is inhibited
D. bile salt excretion and the enterohepatic circulation are promoted

A

A - cholesterol synthesis de novo is inhibited

Statins act by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase (the first and key rate-limiting enzyme of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway), and up-regulating LDL receptor activity.

21
Q

Which is correct about oxidative phosphorylation?
A. The process involves a direct transfer of a high phosphate to an activated substrate
B. The formation of ATP is coupled to oxidation of a substrate in the Electron Transport Chain
C. ATP is produced in the cytosol and partly in the mitochondria
D. The amount of ATP produced is indirectly proportional to the concentration of ADP

A

B

Oxidative phosphorylation is the process in which ATP is formed as a result of the transfer of electrons from NADH or FADH2 to O2 by a series of electron carriers. This process takes place in the mitochondria.

22
Q
In Glycolysis, in order to trap glucose and commit the substrate to utilization, which reaction of glucose and other sugars is initially catalyzed?
A. isomerization
B. phosphorylation
C. hydrolysis
D. oxidation
A

B. phosphorylation

Glucose enters cells through specific transport proteins and has one principal fate: it is phosphorylated by ATP to form glucose 6-phosphate. This step is notable for two reasons: (1) glucose 6-phosphate cannot diffuse through the membrane, because of its negative charges, and (2) the addition of the phosphoryl group begins to destabilize glucose, thus facilitating its further metabolism. The transfer of the phosphoryl group from ATP to the hydroxyl group on carbon 6 of glucose is catalyzed by hexokinase.

23
Q

True about gluconeogenesis
A. The process is inhibited by a high
energy charge
B. The process is stimulated by a high
concentration of fructose 2,6-bisphospate
C. Glucose is synthesized from non carbohydrate sources
D. All of the reactions are identical with those of glycolysis

A

C. Glucose is synthesized from non carbohydrate sources

Gluconeogenesis is the process of synthesizing glucose or glycogen from noncarbohydrate precursors. The major substrates are the glucogenic amino acids, lactate, glycerol, and propionate. (Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 30E p. 185)

24
Q

Adequate calories are allotted to carbohydrates and fats in order to produce which effect?
A. Promote absorption of fat soluble vitamins and minerals
B. Prevent protein breakdown through a protein sparing effect
C. Provide enough substrates for gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis
D. Interconvert carbohydrates into fats and vice versa

A

B - Prevent protein breakdown through a protein sparing effect

Protein sparing (amino acid sparing) is the process by which the body derives energy from sources other than protein. Such sources can include fatty tissues, dietary fats and carbohydrates.

25
Q
Which amino acid, when metabolized, could contribute most significantly to gluconeogenesis per mole of amino acid converted to glucose
A. Lysine
B. Leucine
C. Alanine
D. Tyrosine
A

Purely glucogenic amino acids:
glycine, alanine, serine, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, proline, valine, methionine, cysteine, histidine and arginine

Purely ketogenic amino acids: lysine and leucine

Glucogenic AND ketogenic amino acids: PITTT Phenylalanine, isoleucine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and threonine

26
Q

Which of these is correct regarding nucleic acid chemistry metabolism?
A. Adenine-thymine rich DNA is more thermostable then DNA with more guanine and cytosine
B. The end product of pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism in man is uric acid
C. The synthesis of nucleotide through salvage pathway is more energy requiring than de novo synthesis
D. The repeating backbone of all nucleic acid is a nucleoside

A

D. The repeating backbone of all nucleic acid is a nucleoside

> DNA base pairing between complementary deoxynucleotides involves the formation of hydrogen bonds. two such h-bonds form between adenine and thymine, and three h-bonds form between cytosine and guanine.

> Humans convert adenosine and guanosine (PURINES) to uric acid. Unlike the low solubility products of purine catabolism, catabolism of the PYRIMIDINES forms highly water-soluble products— CO2, NH3, β-alanine, and β-aminoisobutyrate.

> Conversion of purines, their ribonucleosides, and their deoxy- ribonucleosides to mononucleotides involves “salvage reactions” that require far less energy than de novo synthesis

> Nucleosides = Adenine, Guanine, Cytidine, Thymine (Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 30E p. 185)

27
Q
To derive energy from their utilization, carbohydrates, fatty acids and certain amino acids must be converted to which metabolite and enter the final common pathway?
A. Pyruvate
B. B. glucose-6-phosphate
C. Acetyl CoA
D. Glycerol-3-phosphate
A

C. Acetyl CoA

28
Q
Which of these enzymes is involved in redox reactions?
A. Biotin
B. Cobamide
C. Co-enzyme A
D. Ubiquinone
A

B

When ΔG or the free-energy change in a biochemical reaction is negative, the reaction proceeds spontaneously with loss of free energy; that is, it is exergonic.
On the other hand, if ΔG is positive, the reaction proceeds only if free energy can be gained; that is, it is endergonic.
Source: Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry, 30th ed, pg. 114

29
Q
Which pathway must be carried out in order to completely oxidize glucose into carbon dioxide
and water?
A. Embden-Meyerhof Pathway
B. Hexose Monophosphate Shunt 
C. Citric Acid Cycle
D. Glucoronic Acid Pathway
A

C. Citric Acid Cycle

The Citric Acid Cycle is a sequence of reactions in the mitochondria that oxidizes acetyl-CoA to CO2 and reduces coenzymes that are reoxidized through the electron transport chain. The citric acid cycle is the final common pathway for the oxidation of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein because glucose, fatty acids, and most amino acids are metabolized to acetyl-CoA or intermediates of the cycle.
The Embden-Meyerhof Pathway is also known as Glycolysis which converts glucose to pyruvate.
The Hexose-Monophosphate shunt or Pentose Monophosphate shunt is an alternate glucose oxidation pathway that generates NADPH, pentoses, and ribose-5-phosphate.
The Glucoronic Acid Pathway is an alternative oxidative pathway for glucose is involved in synthesis of glucuronic acid, pentoses & Vitamin C.
Source: Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry, 30th ed.

30
Q
In which of the following conditions would glycogenesis occur?
A. increased glucose 6-P concentration
B. glycogen phosphorylase covalently
modified by phosphorylation
C. decreased 3’5’ cyclic AMP
D. increased insulin/glucagon ratio
A

B. glycogen phosphorylase covalently

As summarized in the Figure, there is a reciprocal relationship between glycogen synthesis (glycogenesis) and glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis) and factors that enhance one inhibits the other. One of the main forms of control is the varied phosphorylation of glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase by protein kinase A (PKA). Phosphorylated glycogen synthase is inactive in contrast to glycogen phosphorylase which is activated following phosphorylation.
Conditions such as low glucose levels or stress that promote the activation of PKA as a result of released adrenaline or glucagon binding to their G- protein coupled receptors, promote the process of energy generation through glycogen breakdown and inhibit the process of glycogen synthesis. Similarly calcium ions inhibit glycogen synthase indirectly through their activation of PKA. Finally glycogenesis is enhanced by elevated levels of ATP which act as an allosteric inhibitor of glycogen phosphorylase.

31
Q
Which amino acid is correctly paired with its corresponding specialized product?
A. tyrosine and epinephrine
B. tryptophan and melanin
C. phenylalanine and serotonin 
D. serine and serotonin
A

20 WR 2018 Revalida

32
Q
What is the final major end product of beta oxidation of fatty acids?
A. propionylCoA 
B. malonylCoA 
C. acetylCoA
D. butyrylCoA
A

C. acetylCoA

33
Q

Rate limiting step of Fatty acid oxidation

A

Malonyl-CoA: Rate limiting step of Fatty acid oxidation

Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MCD) is the enzyme responsible for decarboxylation of malonyl-CoA to acetyl-CoA. Generally, the level of malonyl-CoA is decreased when MCD activity is increased, resulting in an elevated rate of fatty acid oxidation. MCD and ACC appear to work in harmony to regulate the pool of malonyl-CoA that can inhibit CPT1.

34
Q

Which of the following is a protective action of HDL against the development of atherosclerosis?
A. Inhibition of cholesterol production by the liver
B. Inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase
C. increased LDL production
D. Increased transport of cholesterol to the
liver

A

D. Increased transport of cholesterol to the

liver

35
Q

In order to derive energy from their utilization, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and certain amino
acids must be converted to which metabolite and enter the final common pathway?
A. pyruvate
B. glucose-6 phosphate
C. acetylCoA
D. glycerol-3 phosphate

A

Acetyl-CoA (acetyl coenzyme A) is a molecule that participates in many biochemical reactions in protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Its main function is to deliver the acetyl group to the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) to be oxidized for energy production.

Process:
CoA is acetylated to acetyl-CoA by the breakdown of carbohydrates through glycolysis and by the breakdown of fatty acids through β- oxidation. Acetyl-CoA then enters the citric acid cycle, where the acetyl group is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water, and the energy released is captured in the form of 11 ATP and one GTP per acetyl group.

36
Q

itamin C promotes wound healing by which mechanism in the maturation of collagen in connective tissues?

A. Promotes hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues
B. Stimulates aldol condensation among tropocollagen molecules
C. Promotes formation of desmosine and isodesmosine cross linkages
D. Formation of triple helix structure of collagen

A

A. Promotes hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues

37
Q

This happens when the energy of activation of a reaction is lowered

A. Reaction is considered endergonic
Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required for reactants to form
B. Reaction is in equilibrium
C. Velocity of the reaction
increased
D. Reaction proceeds spontaneously with a decreased in free energy

A

Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required for reactants to form products in a chemical reaction.

Lowering the activation energy increases the velocity of a reaction