Biochemistry

Question 1

Key roles of carbohydrates

Answer 1

Energy source, storage, structural support & cell recognition/signalling

Question 2

Most important carbohydrates

Answer 2

Saccharides

Question 3

Monosaccharide structure

Answer 3

Linear

Question 4

No. Of carbons in monosaccharides

Answer 4

Varies

Question 5

Disscharides

Answer 5

Two monosaccharides joined together

Question 6

What does branching do in polysaccharides

Answer 6

Increases solubility of glycogen
Provides terminal ends for enzymatic action

Question 7

Heteropolysaccharides

Answer 7

Composed of two or more different types of monosaccharides

Question 8

Hyaluronic Acid

Answer 8

Composed of repeating disscharide units of N-acetylglucosamine & glucuronic acid

Question 9

What is hyaluronic acid a major component of

Answer 9

Extracellular Matrix
Synovial Fluid
Vitreous Humour
Supports Tissue Hydration
Contributes to wound healing

Question 10

Function of hyaluronic acid in reproductive system

Answer 10

Surrounds ovulated oocyte
May regulate sperm selection/function prior to fertilisation

Question 11

Function of Membrane Carbohydrates

Answer 11

Act as molecular tag that allows cells to recognise & communicate with each other

Question 12

What are blood group antigens determined by

Answer 12

Specific glycoproteins & glycolipids on rbc surface

Question 13

What is cell adhesion essential for

Answer 13

Tissue formation & pathogen recognition

Question 14

What do selectins (glycoprotein) do?

Answer 14

Mediate adhesion of wbc to endothelial cells during the immune response

Question 15

Lipids

Answer 15

Diverse & ubiquitous group of biological molecules which have many key biological function

Question 16

What is the charge of a phospholipid?

Answer 16

Negative

Question 17

What happens when phospholipids are added to water?

Answer 17

They self-assemble into double layered aggregates to shield the hydrophobic protein from water

Question 18

Where are Sphingolipids abundant?

Answer 18

Cell membrane of lipids
In myelin sheath

Question 19

What are sphingolipids essential for?

Answer 19

Nerve function/signalling

Question 20

What does sphingolipid regulation do?

Answer 20

Of levels underpins cell growth differentiation & apoptosis
Plays an important role in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer & inflammatory conditions

Question 21

Steroids

Answer 21

Characterised by a carbon skeleton consisting of four fused rings

Question 22

What hormones is cholesterol a building block of?

Answer 22

Cortisol, Testosterone, Progesterone, Estradial & Aldosterone

Question 23

Are lipids hydrophobic?

Answer 23

Not all but all have a hydrophobic portion