Biological Specimens, A&P, Chrom, Metabolism

Question 1

What is meant by the term “metabolism”?

Answer 1

A sequence of enzyme catalyzed chemical reactions in the cell - both anabolic and catabolic reactions

Question 2

Anabolic and catabolic pathways are different Briefly explain two of the differences between an anabolic pathway and a catabolic pathway.

Answer 2

Anabolic is assembling complex molecules

Catabolic is degradation of complex molecules to smaller ones

Question 3

What is an enzyme?

Answer 3

An enzyme is a catalyst. Often a protein

Question 4

What is an enzyme “active site”?

Answer 4

Part of the enzyme that the substrate binds to

Question 5

When referring to an enzymatic reaction, what is meant by the term “substrate”?

Answer 5

The reactant in an enzyme-catalysed reaction

Question 6

When referring to an enzymatic reaction, what is meant by the term “product”?

Answer 6

The results after the anabolic and catabolic parts of the reaciton

Question 7

List and briefly explain four (4) variables that can effect enzyme activity.

Answer 7

Temperature
-Different substrates have different optimum temperatures for enzymatic activity

pH
-Different substrates have different optimum pH levels for enzymatic activity

Concentration of substrate
- The more substrate the greater the reaction rate. However it plateaus quickly

Concentration of enzymes
-The more enzyme the more the reaction rate. This goes up linearly

Question 8

A laboratory assay uses an enzymatic reaction as part of the assay procedure. Explain why the incorrect incubation time for the laboratory assay may effect the results of the assay

Answer 8

If the incubation time is not long enough the enzymes and substrates wont have enough time to react with one another.

Question 9

What factors may affect the reliability of a laboratory test result?

Answer 9

Accuracy and precision

Question 10

Explain the term accuracy when referring to laboratory results. Use a hypothetical example in your explanation.

Answer 10

How close the measured value is to the true value

If a weight is known to be 100g and the test measures it to be 100g it is accurate.

Question 11

Explain the term precision when referring to laboratory results. Use a hypothetical example in your explanation.

Answer 11

How consistent the set of measurements are.

If a weight is measured at 80g and the test consistently measures it the same each time, then it is precise

Question 12

Why might a protein need to be separated from a mixture of other proteins?

Answer 12

Isolation is necessary in order to prepare and analyse the individual protein

Question 13

What types of molecules can be separated from a mixture using chromatography?

Answer 13

DNA, RNA, and other organic molecules

Question 14

List three Chromatography principles (examples) that can be used to separate a molecule of interest from a mixture.

Answer 14

Affinity Column
Ion Exchange
Gel flitration

Question 15

For each of the principles that you listed in answer to the question above, what property of the molecule of interest is being utilised (eg size, charge, etc)

Answer 15

Affinity Column - Ligand
Ion Exchange - Charge
Gel Filtration - Size

Question 16

List 4 different types of biological specimens that may be used in a Biomedical Science or Pathology laboratory.

Answer 16

Blood
Urine
Faeces
Swabs
Cerebrospinal Fluid

Question 17

Name the cellular components of blood

Answer 17

Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets

Question 18

Name 3 components of blood required for clotting

Answer 18

Platelets
Coagulation proteins
Calcium

Question 19

Is there a difference between serum and plasma. Explain your answer.

Answer 19

Yes. Serum is the same as plasma minus the clotting proteins

Question 20

What is an anticoagulant?

Answer 20

Anticoagulant stops clots from forming

Question 21

List 3 anticoagulants and explain the mode of action

Answer 21

Heparin - Inhibits clotting proteins
Oxalate - Chelates calcium
Solium Fluoride - Preserves glucose

Question 22

Why are different anticoagulants used when collecting blood?

Answer 22

Depending on the test to be performed, different anticoagulants will be used. Particular anticoagulants alter the blood in different ways.

Question 23

Why is correct identification of a patient sample important?

Answer 23

Mixing samples can lead to deadly consequences as patient outcome is reliant on test results

Question 24

List 2 reasons that a patient sample may be unsuitable for laboratory assay, necessitating the recollection of a sample.

Answer 24

If a patient eats before a blood sample

Intoxication or stimulation via drugs

Question 25

Haemophilia is a disease studied in a Coagulation laboratory. What is Haemophilia?

Answer 25

It is a disease where blood does not clot normally