USMLE Biochem Flashcards
What explains the synchronous production of multiple enzymes by bacteria in response to lactose?
One mRNA coding for multiple enzymes (polycistrionic mRNA)
What forces determine the secondary structure of proteins?
H bonds
Activation of phospholipase C results in the increase of what intracellular substance?
Ca
What do you call a mutation on the B-globin gene three bases upstream of the AUG codon, and what does it lead to?
Kozak sequence, B-thalassemia intermedia b/c mRNA can’t bind the ribosome
What enzyme does insulin upregulate?
Protein phosphatase 1
What part of the lac operon does the repressor protein bind onto?
Operator locus
Hyperammonemia depletes levels of what intermediate?
Alpha-ketoglutarate
High concentration of proprionic acid in plasma and urine results from the metabolism of what amino acid?
Valine
What enzyme is responsible for creating what substance that results in cataract formation in galactokinase deficiency?
Aldose reductase, galactitol
What is the allosteric activator in the first step of the conversion of pyruvate to glucose?
Acetyl CoA (by inhibiting its own creation and encouraging pyruvate carboxylase to convert pyruvate to oxaloacetate for gluconeogenesis)
What is the most common cause of cystic fibrosis?
Phenylalanine deletion at F508
What is the role of the 16S rRNA subunit?
Contains a nucleotide sequence complementary to the Shine-Dalgarno sequence on mRNA, which is necessary for protein translation
Tall with long extremities, pectus excavatum, hypermobile joints, long tapering fingers. Dx?
Marfan syndrome
Subluxation of lenses upward and temporally vs medially and downwards
Marfans vs Homocysteinuria
Urine turns black after exposure to air, hyperpigmented skin, brown sclerae. Dx and mechanism?
Alkaptonuria, accumulation of homogentisic acid