IMMS + Flashcards
What is oncotic pressure?
A type of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins, most notably albumin, that tend to pull fluid into their solution.
Define osmotic pressure.
The pressure that must be applied to a solution in order to prevent inward osmosis through a partially permeable membrane.
What is the cis-face of the golgi apparatus?
The face closest to the nucleus. It is the site of protein phosphorylation and receives vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum.
What does the medial golgi do?
It modifies products by adding sugars - forms complex OLIGOSACCHARIDES by adding sugars to lipids and peptides
What does the trans golgi do?
Site of PROTEOLYSIS - converts peptides into their active forms (proteins) and sorts molecules into vesicles.
What are the functions of a cell membrane?
Insulate the cell (e.g. myelin sheath), compartmentalise cell, semi-permeable membrane allows the cell to absorb nutrients and expel waste, respond to cell signals, connects the cell to its external environment and forms a barrier to it and allows for intercellular adhesions.
What is a vesicle?
A spherical membrane bound organelle that is used to transport and store material.
What four molecules are in cell membranes?
Glycolipids, glycoproteins, cholesterol and integral proteins.
What type of collagen are basement membranes?
Type 4 collagen
What is a mis-sense mutation?
A single nucleotide change that results in a codon that codes for a different amino acid. This may lead to a dysfunctional protein or may have no effect.
How many Kcal/Kg/day is Basal Metabolic Rate?
24 Kcal/Kg/per day
How much energy is stored as triglycerides?
15kg
How much glycogen is stored and where?
350g. 200g in the liver and 150g in the muscle.
What are the three ketone bodies made by ketogenesis?
Acetoacetate, Acetone and beta-hydroxybutyrate
What is ATP and what is it made of?
Adenosine triphosphate. It is made from: 1 adenine, 1 ribose and 3 phosphates.
What are desmosomes?
A type of cell junction complex that attach cells via intermediate filaments.
Other than the Kreb’s cycle and Glycolysis, how can ATP be made?
Electron transport chain, oxidative phosphorylation, substrate level phosphorylation.
What is gonadal mosaicism?
When there are two different cell populations in the gonads. One population of cells in normal and one is mutated. All gametes from the mutated population will be affected.
What are the four phases of the growth cycle?
G1, S, G2 (interphase phase) M (mitotic phase)
At which phase in mitosis do spindles disappear?
Telophase
When does meiosis II occur?
Only after fertilisation
What is meiosis used for and when does it occur?
Used for the production of gametes. In males in begins in puberty and in females, meiosis I occurs after ovulation. and meiosis II occurs only if fertilisation takes place.
What is non-disjunction?
The failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate during cell division e.g. Down’s Syndrome
How is genetic diversity introduced in meiosis?
Prophase 1 - Crossing over of genetic material from non-sister chromatids
Metaphase 1 - random assortment of chromosomes
What is splicing?
The removal of introns (non-coding regions of a gene) from pre-mRNA to form a fully functioning protein
Define lyonisation.
When one of the female x chromosomes becomes inactive in early embryogenesis.
What is the Fenton reaction?
A process that converts hydrogen peroxide (product of mitochondria oxidative respiration) into a hydroxyl free radical.
Fe2+ + H2O2 —-> Fe3+ + OH- + OH.
What is the Haber-Weiss reaction?
A process that generates a hydroxyl free radical from peroxide and superoxide.
H202 + O2+ –(H+)–> H20 + O2 + OH.
What is endocytosis?
An active, specific, receptor mediated process whereby molecules are absorbed/engulfed by a cell through invagination of the cell membrane to form a vacuole.
3 types: phagocytosis (macromolecules enter cell to form phagosomes) pinocytosis (dissolved solutes) and receptor mediated endocytosis.
What is exocytosis?
Occurs when vesicles from the Golgi Apparatus fuse with the plasma membrane to expel waste or secrete enzymes/hormones.
Name the four types of oedema.
- Inflammatory (leakage)
- Venous (increased end pressure)
- Hypoalbuminemia (abnormally high concentrations of albumin)
- Lymphatic (blocked)
What is the electron transport chain?
A process in which NADH and FADH2 (produced during glycolysis, fatty acid/beta-oxidation) are oxidised (lose electrons) thus releasing energy in the form of ATP. The process by which they do this is known as chemiosmotic phosphorylation.
What is the mechanism by which ATP is formed in the electron transport chain?
Chemiosmotic phosphorylation
What is oxidative phosphorylation?
The metabolic pathway in which mitochondria use their structure, enzymes and energy released by the oxidation of nutrients to reform ATP.
What is the anion gap?
The difference when subtracting the concentration of serum anions (Cl-, HCO3-) from the concentration of serum cations (Na+, K+). Potassium concentrations are usually very low so have minimal effect on the gap, thus potassium is not always included in the equation.
AG = [Na+] - ([Cl- + HCO3-]) = 16 meq/lit.
What condition does the anion gap help to diagnose?
Metabolic acidosis
Briefly explain ROS and ROS formation.
Reactive Oxygen Species - chemically reactive molecules that contain oxygen e.g. OH., O2+, H2O2. ROS are formed as a natural part of oxidation/ normal metabolism of oxygen in mitochondria = ENDOGENOUS.
EXOGENOUS = UV light, smoking, inflammation, drugs.
What equation is useful in determining the pH of a solution?
The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
What 3 molecules make up a nucleotide?
A pentose sugar, a nitrogenous base and a phosphate molecule.
What is the function of rough endoplasmic reticulum?
Protein synthesis
What is the function of smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
Lipid synthesis
What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?
Processes and modifies endoplasmic reticulum products
Define phenotype.
The physical appearance of an individual as a result of the environment and their genetics
Give examples of types 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 collagen.
Type 1: skin, tendons, vasculature, bone, teeth
Type 2: cartilage
Type 3: liver, kidneys, spleen, uterus, reticular fibres
Type 4: basement membranes
Type 5: placenta
What % of total body collagen does type 1 collagen account for?
90%
Name the features of membrane channels.
They have narrow pores, may be voltage or ligand gated, are selective for size and charge, DO NOT USE active transport and usually transport ions.
How much protein do we require per day?
0.1 g/kg body mass
What is the different between anabolic and catabolic reactions?
ANABOLIC - ‘building up’, use energy and synthesise larger molecules into smaller molecules (glycogen synthesis)
CATABOLIC - ‘breaking down’, form energy and convert larger molecules into smaller molecules
You should expect a high glucose content in diabetic ketoacidosis. True or false?
True - glucose is high due to lack of insulin.
What is the rate limiting step of the Kreb’s cycle and what enzyme catalyses this step?
Step 3: when isocitrate is oxidised to form a-ketoglutamate.
Catalysing enzyme: isocitrate dehydrogenase
What is the first step in the Kreb’s cycle?
Acetyl-CoA (2C) joins with oxaloacetate (4C) to form citrate (6C)
Where is NADH produced in the Kreb’s cycle?
Step 3: isocitrate to a-ketoglutarate
Step 4: a-ketoglutarate to succinyl-CoA
Step 8: malate to oxaloacetate
Genetic defects that affect successive generations earlier and more severely is known as…….
Anticipation
What is ketogenesis?
The formation of ketones via fatty acid breakdown. Ketones are used for energy during low fat states.
What is the equation for fatty acid oxidation/beta oxidation?
Fatty acid –> Acynl adenylate –> Acyl-CoA –> Acetyl-CoA
What are the four ways that components are synthesised in the body?
Storage (anabolic)
Biosynthesis (anabolic)
Waste Disposal (catabolic)
Oxidation (catabolic)
How many ATP molecules can be made from one glucose molecule?
1 glucose molecule = 34 ATP
An ATP molecule has two bonds. What are these bonds called?
Phosphoanhydride bonds.
An ATP molecule has two phosphoanhydride bonds. Are these bonds strong or weak?
Relatively weak - more energy is released than energy required to break them.
What is the equation for the ADP-ATP cycle?
ATP + H20 –> ADP + phosphate + H+
When ATP runs out or more energy is required, it will convert to ADP so the energy required to hold together one of the phosphate bonds can be released and available for use by the cell.
What type of hormones are stored in vesicles ready for release, made by amino acids, bind to the cell membrane and act fast?
Peptide hormones
Give examples of peptide hormones.
Insulin, growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone
What are the features of steroid hormones?
They are made from cholesterol, they are produced and released when needed (not stored), they bind to blood protein and they are SLOW acting.
Give examples of steroid hormones.
Cholesterol, oestrogen, testosterone
What is the term for transport across a membrane in which molecules move down their concentration gradient e.g. gaseous exchange?
Diffusion
What is facilitated diffusion?
The transport of molecules across a cell membrane through carrier proteins e.g. glucose.
What is required in active transport and why?
ATP and carrier proteins because molecules are having to move across the membrane AGAINST their concentration gradient (low - high pressure). Example: Na+K+ATPase pump.
What are the 3 regulatory hormones?
- Atrial natriuretic peptide
- Aldosterone
- Anti-diuretic hormone
What does anti-diuretic hormone (vasopressin) do and where is it produced?
Produced in the posterior pituitary gland.
It’s primary function is to retain water in the body by increasing aquaporin numbers in the collecting ducts of nephrons and to CONSTRICT blood vessels.
Where is aldosterone produced and what is its function?
Produced by the adrenal CORTEX.
Plays a role in regulating blood pressure, increasing the absorption of ions and water in the DCT and collecting ducts of nephrons. K+ is secreted to preserve Na+ concentration and to increase water retention and blood pressure.
Where is atrial natriuretic peptide stored and what is its function?
It is an amino acid peptide and is stored/released by atrial myocytes in the heart, in response to atrial distension (enlargement from internal pressure). It is a powerful VASODILATOR.
Describe what happens during prophase.
Chromatin condenses to form chromosomes and nuclear membrane begins to break down. Centrosomes separate and start spindle production.
Describe what happens during prometaphase.
Nuclear membrane disappears completely and spindles grow towards the centre of the cell.
Describe what happens during metaphase.
Chromosomes line up at the equator of the cell and spindles attach to the centromeres.
Describe what happens during anaphase.
Spindles pull on the centromeres, causing the chromosomes to split apart. The chromatids move to opposite poles of the cell.
Explain telophase.
Spindles disappear and chromosomes unravel to form chromatin. A nuclear membrane begins to form and a tight ring of microfilaments forms in the centre of the cell.
Explain cytokinesis.
The ring of microfilaments gets progressively tighter and divides the cell in half. Two cells are produced that are genetically identical to the original parent cell (diploid cells).
Give an example of an autosomal recessive condition.
Cystic fibrosis
Give an example of an autosomal dominant condition.
Huntington’s disease
Give an example of an X-linked recessive condition.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy