Unit 1 Deck 2 Flashcards
Name the hydrophobic part of sphingomyelin.
- Sphingosine hydrocarbon chain
2. Fatty acid chain
Name the hydrophilic part of sphingomyelin.
- Phosphate
- Choline
(phosphoryl chloline)
Name the hydrophobic part of the phosphoglycerides
- Fatty acid chains
Name the hydrophilic part of the phosphoglycerides.
- Phosphorylated OH group
Name the hydrophobic part of cholesterol
Everything but the OH!
Name the hydrophilic part of cholesterol
OH group
True or False: An interstitial deletion is more likely to be deleterious than a terminal deletion.
False. The deletion does not depend on the area, but the size, and which chromosome is involved.
After five miscarriages, karyotype analysis revealed that your patient, Sara, has a paracentric inversion of chromosome 8. She wants to understand what this means. What is her reproductive capability?
Biologically, it is quite possible for Sara to have normal children, but she needs to be patient because the presence of the inversion may result in further miscarriages. For this type of inversion, chromosome imbalances are usually lost during gametogenesis, so the highest probability is that children will have a balanced genome and will be clinically normal with respect to the inversion. If the partner also has a chromosomal abnormality, that will complicate the issue further.
A baby is born with multiple congenital anomalies. By age 3, he clearly shows signs of developmental delay. Phenotypically, he appears very different than his siblings and parents. A family history shows three generations of multiple miscarriages in the father’s family. A paternal great-uncle was delayed and died early in life. What is the most likely cause of this child’s medical problems?
This is a chromosomal abnormality. the scenario described above is classic for a familial chromosome abnormality. The three generations of multiple miscarriages clinches the interpretation.
Name the syndrome associated with the aneuploidy 47,XXY
Klinefelter’s syndrome
Of the 4 main sex chromosome aneuploidies 47,XXY, XYY, 45,X and XXX, which must be only a parternal meiotic nondisjunction error?
XYY, paternal meiotic II nondisjunction
Name three characteristics of a XXX female
- Average to tall in stature
- Usually doe to maternal meiosis I error
- Learning deficit or fertility problems possible
Name 3 characteristics of Klinefelter’s syndrome
- May have breasts, or small testes
- Tall
- Infertile
- May have learning disabilities
- 50% are due to a paternal meiosis I error
In what syndrome might a patient seek surgical correction of a webbed neck?
Turner syndrome
Turner syndrome may be from a deletion of the X (45,X), however give me some other examples in which it might occur:
Mosaicism, 45,X/46,XX with rearrangements, 45X/46,XY
In Turner syndrome, the X is usually maternal. What does this mean for the source of the nondisjunction?
Paternal meiotic nondisjunction the most common source of the error.
What is a health risk for Turner syndrome patients with a complete or partial Y chromosome in at least one cell line?
Increased risk for gonadoblastoma
What phenotype will an individual with 45,X/46XY have?
Depends! This depends on what cells are most active at the time of development.
What is another term for “androgen insensitivity?”
“Testicular ferminization”
How can you have an XY female?
Y chromosome is fully present and functional, but ther is a mutation in the androgen receptor gene located on the long arm of the X chromosome, resulting in no production of androgen receptor.
What is the non-cytogenetic source of an XX male?
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), in either the mother (ambiguous genitalia) or the fetus –> results in in-utero virulization of the fetus
What is the defect in congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
Biochemical imbalance, lack of enzyme 21-hydroxylase. Without this enzyme, the normal biosynthetic pathway is blocked and androgens accumulate in the body
What is the cytogenetic source of an XX male?
XY recombination in the pseudoautosomal region on the short arms of the X and Y chromosomes.
What is the effect of a balanced translocation?
No clinical abnormalities. The issue becomes the offspring of this individual (ie if SRY gene was translocated to an X chromosome, and that X is passed on)
How can an individual have a balanced translocation with clinical abnormalities?
If the break occurred in a gene, resulting in loss of that gene or function
Unbalanced chromosomal complements are most commonly associated with what clinical feature?
Developmental delay or mental retardation
Give an example of a syndrome associated with a terminal deletion.
Wolff-Hirschorn syndrome, loss of end of chromosome #4, aka “4p syndrome”
What is a recriprocal translocation?
A “balanced” translocation of genes on nonhomologous chromosomes
Eukaryotic cilia ans flagella are powered by the motor protein dyenin. What are their cargoes?
Doublet microtubules
What is the function of taxol?
Taxol is a chemotherapy agent that destabilizes dynamic microtubule structures in dividing cells.
Microvilli are protrusions of the plasma membrane whose shape is maintained by _____.
Microfilaments
True or False: The neurofilament class of intermediate filaments provides tracks for retrograde transport of neurotropic viruses.
False
The normal distribution of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi membrane systems in a typical mammalian cell is dependent upon ___________.
Microtubules and microtubule-associated motor proteins
Which kind of DNA contains more repetitive sequences?
Heterochromatin
What are DNA single-stranded binding proteins used for?
Proofreading or maintenance
Name the four types of DNA damage.
- depurination or modification of DNA bases by radiation, chemical agents etc
- two-base alterations (thymine-thymine dimers with UV light)
- strand breaks from radiation or free radicals
- cross-linkage of DNA with its associated proteins from chemical agents
p53 plays a key role as what during the cell cycle?
p53 is a tumor suppressor gene, active at G1 and G2 checkpoints, mutated in Li-Fraumeni tumor syndrome
What condition is caused by copying errors that cannot be fixed by mismatch repair?
Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer, HNPCC
What is a potential effect of germ-line mosaicism?
Neither parent is affected by a disease, but all their children may be affected.
What kinds of cells must be used to perform karyotype analysis?
A karyotype can be obtained from dividing cells (blood leukocytes), bone marrow, fibroblasts, amniocytes), but NOT from frozen or formalin-fixed cells. *requires metaphase for chromosomal view.
What does an individual with cytogenic notation 46,XX,del(5p) mean?
Female with a deletion the short arm of chromosome 5
Why might one use FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) in cytogenetics?
FISH can detect microdeletions in chromosomes that might encompass several genes
Define the term “mosaicism.”
Mosaicism is 2 or more cell lines with different karyotypes in the same individual. For example, a person who is 45,X/46,XX is a Turner syndrome mosaic.
What is chimerism?
Extremely rare, when 2 different cell lines from two different zygotes arise in the same individual
What is polyploidy?
Entire extra sets of haploid chromosomes, ie 69,XXX triploidy. This will end in a spontaneous abortion or severely malformed, short-life infant
What is euploidy?
Normal chromosome number and composition
Paternal meiotic nondisjunction in meiosis I would cause what syndrome?
47,XXY, Klinefelter’s syndrome (24,XY gamete)
Actin is a globular protein that assembles to form ______
Microfilaments.
Actin filaments are almost exclusively associated with what part of the cell?
The plasma membrane
What two cofactors are needed for actin assembly?
ATP and Mg2+
Actin binding proteins are responsible for what functions? Name 6.
- generate force (myosin)
- crosslink
- regulate motility (troponin)
- bundle (alpha-actinin)
- cap (capping proteins)
- anchor, as to the plasma membrane
The combination of the plasma membrane and an underlying mesh of crosslinked actin filaments is called the ________.
Cell cortex
Which kind of actin-associated membrane structures are branched/unparallel and involved in a migrating cell?
Lamellapodia
Name the four main actin-associated membrane structures.
- Microvilli - GI
- Lamellapodia - migrating cell
- Contractile ring - anaphase/telophase cell
- Stress fibers
Name the three small G-proteins that regulate actin assembly patterns.
- Rho
- Rac
- Cdc42
What is the function of ARP, the actin-related protein?
ARP mediated the assembly of a BRANCHED array of actin filaments at the leading edge of an extending cell membrane. ie fibroblasts
How are actin monomers made available in treadmilling?
They disassemble from the (-) or slow-growing end of the actin, and can then be added to the (+) or fast-growing end.
What are two actin-assembly poisons?
Phalloidin (death cap mushroom)
Cytochalasin (in mold)
How can myosins form dimers (two-headed)?
Coiled coil interactions of the C-terminal tails
True or False: Myosin I forms filaments.
False. Myosin I is a monomeric myosin, and binds to membranes or actin (toward plus end). Important in non-muscle cells.
How does myosin II assemble?
Into bipolar filaments, with the heads facing in opposite directions. Basis of the thick filaments in muscle contraction.
How does myosin II work with actin in a migrating cell?
Pulls up the rear of the cell
What are the 3 steps in myosin-based of thick filament-based regulation?
- Ca2+ causes phosphorylation of MLCK
- MLCK phosphorylates myosin “neck” (light chain)
- spontaneous self-assembly of myosin tails
What is a myofibril?
A muscle cell - long, multi-nucleate, made up of repeating units called sarcomeres
What is a sarcomere made up of?
Anchored bundles of interdigitating actin and myosin filaments
Where are the plus ends of actin filaments anchored in a sarcomere?
Z disc
How is a sarcomere anchored to the sarcolemma?
Dystrophin. Together with actin, they strengthen muscle cell membranes
Name the steps in muscle contraction
- ATP binds myosin, changes its conformation
- Myosin releases from actin filament
- ATP hydrolyzed to ADP
- Energy created causes a small translocation of the myosin head
- Dissociation of Pi allows myosin to reassociate with the actin filament (power stroke)
What happens in actin or thin filament-based regulation?
- Ca2+ binds to troponin C
- Conformational change of troponin C induces movement of troponin I and troponin T
- Troponin T moves tropomyosin away from myosin-binding site on actin
What are the three functional characteristics of myosin heads
- ATP binding and hydrolysis site
- Actin binding site
- Lever arm
What is the difference between the rigor and relaxed states of muscles?
In rigor, no ATP, so myosin head is bound to actin. In relaxed, myosin head is bound to ATP, and will stay relaxed until Ca2+ is released.
What happens to Ca2+ when a muscle is relaxed?
Following a contraction, it is being pumped back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum by a Ca-ATPase.
Why does myosin-II, but not myosin-I form bipolar thick filaments?
Myosin-I does not have a tail domain that engage in coiled coiling. Its tail binds to membranes, in general
For what diagnoses would you consider use of an N95 mask?
TB, chickenpox, shingles, measles, pandemic influenza
What is the difference between disinfection and sterilization?
Sterilization refers to the destruction of all microbial life and is carried out in health care facilities by physical or chemical methods.
Disinfection refers to a process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects.
What is antisepsis?
Antisepsis is the reduction of microorganisms on living tissue/skin. This process does not kill spores and its products cannot be used as disinfectants. It can kill germs in/on the body and on inanimate objects related to medical/surgical use
How are single-use medical supplies ensured for sterility?
Gamma radiation
True or False: Alcohol-based rubs kill bacteria and most viruses.
True, for intermediate and low level of disinfection
At high concentration, what product would be effective at killing HIV and hepatitis viruses?
Chlorine/chlorine-releasing compounds.
What shower might be prescribed to a person about to undergo a major surgery?
Chlorhexidine (2% soln)
pHisoHex - hexachlorophene detergent cleanser
What is a “quat”?
Quats are quaternary ammonium compounds ie benzalkonium chloride, used as antimicrobials and disinfectants. Lethal agains TB and non-enveloped viruses.
What can kill both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria within two hours of exposure, and delivers continuous and ongoing antibacterial action, even after repeated contamination?
Copper
A patient is diagnosed with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia. What type of isolation is MOST appropriate for this client?
Contact isolation - anything to prevent direct or indirect contact. Gown is required when entering the room, patient equipment is not shared.
The most widely used, effective, economical and reliable method of sterilization used in the health care setting is:
Moist Heat.
What makes droplet precautions more extensive than contact precautions?
The patient must wear a mask if he exits the room
The health care providers must wear masks when the enter the room
The room must be private.
What four types of infections are responsible for over 75% of HAI’s?
Catheters
Surgical site infections (SSI’s)
Bloodborne infections
Pneumonias
When might you use paracetic acid to disinfect?
For organisms that like water systems, ie legionella. Also used in gas phase/plasma sterilization
H2O2 plus acetic acids
What kind of process would you use to disinfect endoscopes and related material?
Plasma sterilization. Safe, non-toxic, dry, low-temp sterilization in about 1 hour.
What is the “organism” with the greatest resistance to disinfectants?
Prions, then coccidia, then spores, then mycobacteria
What process renders beef tartar safe to eat, and eliminates the risk of residual E. Coli on meat?
Irradiation in the form of ionizing radiation. Medical application: Irradiated RBC’s prevent graft vs. host disease (GVHD)
What is the only liquid chemical that can be considered a sterilant?
Cidex - an aldehyde solution
What substance is being used in many personal care products that has not been shown to provide any extra benefit beyond anti-gingivitis effects in toothpaste?
Triclosan
What is a bacteria that is considered a normal flora commensal on our skin?
Staph epidermidis (can also be staph aureus, but will cause disease if not contained) Candida albicans
What is a bacteria that is considered a normal flora commensal in our throat?
Staph, strep, neisseria (Neisseria can cause meningitis in the bloodstream of an unvaccinated person)
What is a bacteria that is considered a normal flora commensal in our gut?
Coliforms - bacilli, gram (-), non-sporulating
An opportunistic pathogen that has violated the terms of commensal existence would have what kind of ID50, and what kind of LD50?
High LD50, Mid to low ID50. (LD = lethal dose)
What are three ways that exotoxins–polypeptides secreted from the pathogen or injected by T3SS pilus–have or cause pathogenicity?
- interfering with actin polymerization
- interfering with signal transduction
- Superantigenicity
Several important exotoxins have an A-B subunit structure. What does this mean?
A has the toxic activity, and B delivers A to the target site.
True or False: Previous exposure to an endotoxin is protective due to immune recognition.
False. Neither previous exposure nor vaccine is protective.
What are Koch’s postulates?
- Observe disease
- Culture pathogen
- Infect new host from culture
- Observe same disease
- Culture same pathogen
* *Anything less is suppositional**
What is the concept of colonization resistance?
Normal flora–commensal bacteria and yeasts have taken up all the good spots in an organism, thereby protecting the organism from infection from a true pathogen.
20% BY MASS of stools is made of:
Bacteria!
What bacteria helps women maintain low pH in the vagina?
Lactobaccili, candida overgrowth follows too high a pH.
15-20% of women carry what bacterium that can cause meningitis in newborns if no prophylactic treatment was sought?
Strep B.
The presence of what bacteria predisposes women to toxic shock syndrome?
Staph aureus.
What is a noncommunicable infection?
You get the pathogen from the environment, not a previous host, ie botulism, Legionnaire’s Disease
What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic?
Epidemic - much more frequent infection than usual
Pandemic - worldwide distribution of infection.
ALL virsus and some bacteria are _________
Obligate intracellular parasites. They must enter the host’s cells to reproduce.