Lecture 2

Question 1

Erythrocytes (RBC)

Answer 1

Biconcave disk shaped cells
No nuclei or internal organelles
Filled with red protein haemoglobin which binds oxygen
Turnover ~120 day normal lifetime
Originate from myeloid stem cells in bone marrow (reticulocytes)

Question 2

Haemoglobin

Answer 2

Red protein - 4 amino acid chains aaBB each binds one O2 molecule, bound via an iron containing heme group
Blood conc ~150mg/mL
Conc within RBC ~340mg/mL (34%)
In embryonic, fetal and adult genes
3D structure determined by protein crystallography

Question 3

Mutation from RBC- sickled RBC

Answer 3

From glu to val at amino acid 6

Question 4

Serum Albumin

Answer 4

Main protein component of plasma
Conc ~35mg/mL
Carrier for smaller molecules (steroids, lipids, hormones, aspirin)
Important for drug design- need to bind correctly to albumin

Question 5

Antibody - Immunoglobulin

Answer 5

4 amino acid chains HHLL
Key molecules for immune system 
Has prior knowledge of 'security system' 
Millions of diff binding specificities
Y shaped molecules 
Antigen binding at tips of Y 'arms'

Question 6

Viruses that cause respiratory tract infection

Answer 6

Common cold Rhino virus
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Severe acute respiratory virus (SARS)