BioMed - Biochem/molecules

1

100

What are the “building blocks” for protein macromolecules?

Amino acids

200

How many standard amino acids are there?

20

300

Protein Primary Structure, Protein Secondary Structure, Protein Tertiary Structure, Protein Quaternary Structure.

Primary - linear sequence Secondary - folds in to geometric structures Tertiary - final folded form of the protein, 'native' form Quaternary - two or more tert structures

400

Give one example of an important Monosaccharides.

• D-Glucose – most abundant monosaccharides in nature – principal energy molecule in living systems • D-Fructose – common monosaccharide in honey and fruit • D-Ribose – common pentose sugar – component of many important biomolecules • DNA, RNA, NADH, etc

500

Discuss the statement “The diagnosis and management of Diabetes mellitus is only of concern to a very small portion of the health care industry”. (Hint, you should first decide if this statement is true or false, then BRIEFLY explain why it is true or false.)

False, 50% of cases are undiagnosed and prevalence increasing

2

100

What are the “building blocks” for polysaccharides?

Sugars

200

What is the general structure of an amino acid (diagram is ok).

main carbon attached to a carboxyl group, and an amine group and a R

300

List four of the major roles of Protein.

Transport - i.e. haemoglobin carrying oxygen Storage - store small molecules of ions Motion - movement in cells Structural support - to cells and tissues

400

Give one example of an important Disaccharides.

• Sucrose – table or refined white sugar – α-D-glucose + D-fructose • Lactose – milk sugar – β-D-glucose + galactose • Maltose – malt, or brewing, sugar – α-D-glucose + D-glucose

500

How is Diabetes mellitus diagnosed?

Diagnosis is on the basis of plasma glucose – eg >7.0 mmol/L fasting

3

100

What are the “building blocks” for nucleic acids?

Nucleotides

200

How do the standard amino acids differ from one another?

• side chains have different physical and chemical properties by which amino acids are classified

300

Lipids may not be considered true macromolecules because of their structure. Briefly explain.

• lipids are not true macromolecules – individual monomers (fatty acids) are not covalently bound to each other in a macromolecular structure

400

List four (4) of the major functions of carbohydrates in a cell.

– energy source – cell recognition • e.g. blood group – cell to cell communication – cell adhesion – structure – antibiotics – coenzymes (NAD+) – activated carriers – nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)

4

100

What are the “building blocks” for lipid aggregates?

Fatty acids

200

What is a peptide bond?

group of amino acids bonded together, lose their charge,

300

Name three (3) major functions of lipids.

Storage, Structural & specific biological actions i.e. electron carriers

400

Can two sugar molecules have different configurations despite having the same molecular formula? BRIEFLY explain.

Yes, stereoisomers D/L

5

100

What macromolecule/s can be made up of branched chains?

Polysaccharides

200

Explain why amino acids are important.

• Amino acids are a source of energy – they contribute about 10-15% of metabolic energy • although in some carnivores they provide up to 90% of energy requirements • Many inborn errors of metabolism are due to absence of enzymes in the metabolism of amino acids • Amino Acids are precursors to other important biomolecules – e.g. histamine, serotonin, glutathione, porphyrins

300

List some examples of lipid aggregates.

lipid aggregates include: – micelles, liposomes, membranes, lipoproteins

400

Explain the term Diabetes mellitus

– State of chronic hyperglycaemia which may result from genetic or environmental factors often acting jointly