Biochemistry - Unified material Flashcards
Define the orientation of amino acids in humans.
ALL amino acids in humans are of L orientation.
What is sickle cell anemia (HbS)?
Abnormal protein aggregation
Mutation of DNA structure which abnormally impacts the primary structure of Hb turning glutamate into valine.
Hb normally biconcave
Can result in a sickle cell crisis
What is the normal value for hemoglobin (Hb)?
What is the normal value for hematocrit (HCT)?
Hb: 12-16
HCT: 41-53%; also called packed cell volume.
HCT is 3x Hb
Define hemolysis.
Destruction of RBC.
Can lead to hyperbilirubenemia, which in turn can cause the liver to secrete too much bilirubin into the bile. This can lead to gallstones, or cholecystitis.
What is bilirubin?
What is hyperbilirubenemia?
Bilirubin is a main component of bile. It is a pigment derived form the breakdown of heme (RBC).
Hyperbilirubenemia is too much bilirubin in the bile.
What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
Inadequate uptake of glucose in DM1/2 can lead to liver metabolism of fatty acids to ketone bodies, acetoacetic acid and hydrobutryic acid.
These weak acids dissociate into [H+], which in turn lowers the pH. Bicarbonate will also be low.
Blood glucose will be higher than normal.
Patient will be hypotensive and dehydrated with a rapid pulse.
Acetone odor on breath.
Polyuria – more water in urine because of high osmolar glomeular filtrate with ketone bodies (osmotic dieresis)
Water loss from the blood leads to dehydration and eventually coma.
_________________ is blood from which RBC’s have been removed.
_________________ is the term for blood without clotting factors.
Plasma; serum
What is the treatment for DKA?
- IV saline to counteract osmotic dieresis fluid loss
2. IV insulin q 1 hr
What is the term for too much aspirin intake?
Salicylate toxicity.
Early signs: respiratory stimulation, upper GI distress, nausea/headache.
Normal serum levels: 120 mg/dl a day. 800 can be fatal
A drop in pH elicits an increase/decrease in breathing?
Increase.
___________________: deep labored breathing associated with severe metabolic acidosis.
Kussmaul
Normal paCO2?
35-45 mmHg
Water is _____% of body weight.
60%
Who has a greater percentage of water?
Men vs. Women
Obese vs. non-obese
Old vs. Young
Men
Non-obese
Young
Regarding body water:
What percentage is intracelluar vs. extracellular ?
60% intracelluar
IDDM or DM1 is a result of…
Beta-cells of pancreas inability to synthesize and secrete insulin.
Where is the breathing center in the brain?
Hypothalamus
Describe the fate of carbon dioxide in the body.
- Carbon dioxide dissolved in water
- Enzyme carbonic anhydrase helps convert into carbonic acid
- This breaks down to H+ the bicarbonate anion and trace carbonate
What is the major source of metabolic acid in the body?
Carbon dioxide produced principally from fuel oxidation in the TCA cycle.
What are the 4 major buffer systems in the body?
- Carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system in the blood
- Hb buffer in RBC’s
- Phosphate buffer in all cells
- Protein buffer in cells/plasma
In order to isolate plasma, one must administer a/an ____________________.
Anticoagulant
Otherwise, the blood will clot and you will be left with serum (blood without clotting factors).
What is the term for adding a carbohydrate to a molecule?
Glycolsalation
Define: hypoxia
Lack of oxygen
Define: ischemia
Lack of blood flow