Biochemistry Final Exam

Question 1

What are the main functions of lipids?

Answer 1

1. Energy storage – highly reduced, good packing
2. Insulation and heat generation
3. Membrane structure
4. Signalling molecules (hormones) e.g. steroids, growth factors

Question 2

What are the main functions of carbohydrates?

Answer 2

1. Energy store
2. Membrane structure
3. Cell-cell signaling

Question 3

What are the main functions of proteins?

Answer 3

1. Storage and transport of ions and molecules
2. Biological catalysis
3. Energy (less)

Question 4

What are the main functions of nucleic acids?

Answer 4

1. Storage and transmission of biological information
2. Components of ribosome for protein synthesis
3. Energy for metabolism (ATP)
4. Enzyme cofactors (NAD+)
5. Signal transduction

Question 5

What is apoptosis, and why is it important?

Answer 5

Definition: programmed cell death triggered by a variety of signals
Importance:
- Crucial for the formation and maintenance of tissues
- Carefully regulated

Question 6

What is necrosis, and why is it important?

Answer 6

Definition: the killing of cells due to damage or excessive stresses
Importance:
- Eg. toxins, radiation, heat, trauma, hypoxia
- Triggers an immune response

Question 7

What is the structure of a carbohydrate?

Question 8

What is the monomer unit of a protein?

Question 9

What is the monomer unit for a lipid?