COMPRE REVIEW PART ONE

DEPARTMENT OF
BIOCHEMISTRY
1. Entropy refers to :
A. total energy change in a system that is
available for doing work
B. the extent of disorder or randomness of
the system maximal at true equilibrium
C. the internal energy of a system which
is synonymous to heat or enthalpy
D. the study of energy changes which
accompanies all biochemical reactions
Ans : B
Entropy - is the state of randomness or
disorder of a system that becomes
maximum as equilibrium is approached.
Enthalpy - heat
ΔG - change in free energy
- portion of free energy change in the
system available for doing work (useful
energy)
Exergonic reactions - ΔG is negative
- reaction proceeds spontaneously with
LOSS OF FREE ENERGY (in any form)
- the greater the magnitude = reaction
goes to completion and is irreversible.
Endergonic reactions - ΔG is positive
- reaction will only proceed IF FREE
ENERGY CAN BE GAINED
ΔG - the greater the magnitude = system is
table ; little or no tendency of reaction to
occur
ΔG = 0
- system is at equilibrium
- no net change takes place
2. This cell organelle helps in scavenging
harmful reactive oxygen species :
A. glyoxysomes
B. lysosomes
C. peroxisomes
D. secretory vesicles

Ans : C
3. Which of the following exemplifies
secondary active transport?
A. the Cl- and HCO3- exchanger in RBC
B. the glucose and Na+ transport in
intestinal cell
C. the Na+ and K+ ATPase pump in
neuronal cell
D. the Ca++ transport/release from
sarcoplasmic reticulum
Ans : B
4. The fluidity of the membrane is mainly
dependent on :
A. presence of integral proteins
B. lipid composition
C. number of aquaporins
D. permeability of the membrane

Ans : B
 FACTORS AFFECTING
MEMBRANE FLUIDITY
I. LIPID COMPOSITION
1. longer and more saturated fatty acid
chains exhibit higher transition
temperature

2. unsaturated cis bonds tend to

increase membrane fluidity

3. presence of cholesterol the

moderator molecule
II. TEMPERATURE
Transition Temperature (Tm) -
temperature at which structure
undergoes transition from ordered to
disordered state
- high temperatures = membrane
fluidity increases

- low temperatures = hydrophobic

side chains become aligned = stiff
structure
5. This transport process is characterized
by the "ping-pong" mechanism wherein
the carrier undergoes two principal
conformational change :
A. active transport
B. facilitated diffusion
C. simple diffusion
D. osmosis
Ans : B
6. The effect of increased amount of
saturated fatty acids in the cell membrane
is increase in:
A. transition temperature
B. membrane permeability
C. membrane fluidity
D. membrane disorganization
Ans : A
 MEMBRANE LIPIDS
All major membrane lipids are
AMPHIPATHIC
have hydrophobic and hydrophilic
regions
Thus, they form BILAYERS
Fatty acids may be saturated with
straight tails → compact cell
membranes
Unsaturated fatty acids have kinked
tails → more fluid membranes
LIPID BILAYER
7. The following statements are correct about the Fluid
Mosaic model of plasma membrane EXCEPT :
A. the cell membrane is like a sea with floating domains
B. it has components that move from inner to outer
leaflet
C. the cell membrane has components that are static
and rigid
D. the cell membrane has components that are capable
of movement
Ans : C
THE FLUID MOSAIC MODEL
BY SINGER AND NICOLSON
(1972)
universally accepted description of
membrane structure
“icebergs” (proteins) floating in a “sea”
of phospholipids
membranes undergo phasic changes
from stiff (gel or crystalline) to fluid
state
both lipids and proteins undergo "rapid
redistribution" in the plane of the
membrane ("lateral diffusion")
8. The following organelles are involved in
membrane assembly :
A. mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum,
lysosomes
B. endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus
and plasma membrane
C. nucleus, nucleolus, ribosomes
D. golgi apparatus, mitochondria,
peroxisomes
Ans : B
 MEMBRANE ASSEMBLY
both lipids and proteins are inserted
independently in membranes
 LIPID ASSEMBLY
lipid assembly :
enzymes responsible reside in the
cisternae of ER
phospholipids self assemble as they
are synthesized into
thermodynamically stable bilayers
lipid vesicles migrate and fuse with
GA membrane which in turn fuse
with PM
 PROTEIN ASSEMBLY
Protein assembly :
explained by the SIGNAL HYPOTHESIS
requires ER--> GA--> --> PM
there are 2 kinds of proteins :
those synthesized by membrane bound
ribosomes (secreted proteins and integral
proteins) that contain a SIGNAL PEPTIDE at
their N-terminal
those synthesized by free ribosomes (cytosolic
proteins, extrinsic proteins in the inner PM
leaflet) that lack signal peptide
9. The most distinct differentiation of a
prokaryotic cell from eukaryotic cell is the:
A. size
B. compartmentalization of the subcellular
components especially the nucleus
C. presence of cell wall
D. presence of cellular capsule

Ans : B
2 GENERAL TYPES OF CELLS
 PROKARYOTIC - no membrane-bound
nucleus
- cell membrane is its only membrane
 EUKARYOTIC - presence of a
membrane-bound nucleus
Ex : mammalian, some bacteria and fungi
10. What is the key control step in facilitated
diffusion?
A. concentration gradient acoss the cell
membrane
B. rapidity of solute-carrier interaction
C. amount of carrier available
D. rapidity of conformational change for
loaded and unloaded carrier
Ans : C
FACTORS AFFECTING FACILITATED
DIFFUSION :
1. concentration gradient across
membrane
2. amount of carrier available (key
control step)
3. rapidity of solute-carrier interaction
4. rapidity of conformational change for
both the loaded and unloaded carrier
11. Which of the following substances can
readily diffuse through the cell membrane
through intermolecular spaces?
A. alcohol
B. amino acids
C. carbohydrates
D. proteins
Ans : A
SIMPLE DIFFUSION

Simple Diffusion Simple Diffusion

through protein through interstices
channels 0f lipid-bilayer
12. Which of the following is involved in the
movement of cilia and flagella and also
forms the mitotic spindles during cell
division?
A. actin
B. intermediate filaments
C. microtubules
D. sarcoplasmic reticulum
Ans : C
CYTOSKELETON CONT…
MICROTUBULES - involved in :
- intracellular transport of vesicles
ie., vesicles are moved from soma to axon
(thru KINESIN and DYNEIN)
- chromosome movement during mitosis and
meiosis
- movement of cilia and flagella
- targeted by ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS
- Kartagener’s syndrome – no dynein
CYTOSKELETON
 3 ELEMENTS :
ACTIN - components of contractile
apparatus
- involved in movement (ie., macrophages)
- forms core of microvilli
- connects interior of a cell with adjacent cells (
as zona adherens and zona occludens )
CYTOSKELETON CONT…
 INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS
- structural in function
- also links interior of the cell with adjacent
cells through desmosomes and
hemidesmosomes
- class may vary according to cell type
- Ex : keratin filaments - skin
13. The extent of randomness or disorder of
a system is called :
A. energy
B. entropy
C. enthalpy
D. none of the above
Ans : B
14. The formation of ATP in the mitochondria is
dependent on :
A. change in conformation of proteins in the
inner mitochondrial membrane
B. proton gradient across the inner
mitochondrial membrane
C. formation of a high energy intermediate
during the flow of electrons
D. concentration differences of the reduced
coenzymes and oxidized forms
Ans : B
15. Uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation
means :
A. complete oxidation of substrates
B. inhibition of substrate oxidation and
ATP synthesis
C. substrate oxidation without ATP
synthesis
D. ATP synthesis without substrate
oxidation
Ans : C
UNCOUPLERS

- dissociates oxidation in the respiratory

chain from phosphorylation
- respiration then becomes uncontrolled
(rate is no longer controlled by
concentration of ADP or Pi)
- are amphipathic
- INCREASE PERMEABILITY OF
MITOCHONDRIA TO PROTONS
- Ex: dinitrophenol, oligomycin
16. Bioenergetics is concerned with :
A. initial free energy level of the substrate
and final free energy level of the product
B. how long it takes for the reaction to
take place
C. where the reaction will take place
D. none of the above
Ans : A
Bioenergetics :
• is the study of energy changes
accompanying biological reactions
• also known as biochemical
thermodynamics
17. What is blocked in people who die
inside an old car while parked for a long
time with the engine running?
A. NADH-Q reductase
B. cytochrome reductase
C. cytochrome oxidase
D. none of the above
Ans : C
3 CLASSIFICATIONS OF
RESPIRATORY CHAIN POISONS
1. Inhibitors of the respiratory chain proper
1. Complex I inhibitors - barbiturates, rotenone
2. Complex III inhibitors – dimercaprol
3. Complex IV inhibitors - H2S, CO, cyanide
2. Inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation
1. Oligomycin - blocks oxidation and
phosphorylation in intact mitochondria
3. Uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation
1. Dinitrophenol - oxidation proceeds without
phosphorylation
18. According to the First Law of
Thermodynamics :
A. the system remains constant
B. the surrounding remains constant
C. energy may be transferred or
transformed
D energy may be lost but may still be
regained
Ans : C
1st Law of Thermodynamics (is also the Law
of Conservation of Energy) :
- the total energy of a system including its
surroundings remains CONSTANT
- within the total system, energy is
NEITHER LOST NOR GAINED during any
change
- however, energy MAY BE
TRANSFERRED
2nd Law of Thermodynamics :
- the total entropy of a system must
increase if a process is to occur
spontaneously
3rd Law of Thermodynamics (describes the state
of zero entropy) :
- th entropy of a perfect crystal is zero when the
temperature of the crystal is equal to absolute
zero (0 K)
- But :
The crystal must be perfect or there will be
some inherent disorder.
Temperature must be absolute zero
otherwise there will be thermal motion inside the
crystal which leads to disorder.
19. Which of the following provides the
greatest amount of high energy
phosphates in aerobic metabolism?
A. oxidative phosphorylation
B. embden-meyerhoff pathway
C. citric acid cycle
D. hexose monophosphate shunt
Ans : A
ATP FORMATION AT THE
SUBSTRATE LEVEL
• Net direct capture of 2 high energy
phosphate groups IN GLYCOLYSIS per
mole of glucose

• One phosphorylation step : succinyl CoA

to succinate yielding 2 highenergy
phosphates per mole of glucose in the
TCA cycle
OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION

• Oxidation of substrates via NAD-linked

dehydrogenases and the respiratory chain
yields2.5 mol of Pi incorporated to 2.5 mol
of ADPs = 2.5 mol of ATP per ½ mol of
O2 consumed: P:O =2.5

• Oxidation via flavoprotein-linked

dehydrogenases yields only 1.5mol of ATP
formed : P:O = 1.5
20. The mechanism of generation of ATPs
by the ETC is described by :
A. electron transport chain
B. oxidative phosphorylation
C. chemiosmotic theory
D. third law of thermodynamics
Ans : C
CHEMIOSMOTIC THEORY

• Oxidation of components in the respiratory

chain generates hydrogen ions that are
ejected to the outside of the inner
membrane
• Electrochemical potential difference
resulting from asymmetric distribution of
protons is used to drive the mechanism
responsible for ATP formation (PROTON
MOTIVE FORCE)
• Complex I (NADH-Q oxidoreductase) = 4
protons

• Complex III (Q-cytochrome c

oxidoreductase) = 4 protons

• Complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) = 2

protons
20. The poison that inhibit the respiratory
chain by blocking the transfer of electrons
from Fe-S to Q is acting on Complex:
A. I
B. II
C. III
D. IV
Ans : A
21. Regulation of CAC via the ETC and
Oxidative Phosphorylation relies on the
following factors EXCEPT :
A. supply of NAD
B. availability of ADP
C. rate of utilization of ATP
D. rate of reoxidation of NADPH
Ans : D
22. Which of the following terms refers to the
loss of electrons during coupled reactions?
A. oxidation
B. reduction
C. redox
D. all of the above
Ans : A
Oxidation - removal of electrons
Reduction - gain of electrons
Redox potential - free energy change is
proportionate to the tendency of reactants
to donate or accept electrons
23. This type of dehydrogenases are found
characteristically in reductive synthesis
(i.e., extramitochondrial pathways rather
than mitochondrial pathways)
A. NAD linked dehydrogenases
B. NADP linked dehydrogenases
C. FAD linked dehydrogenases
D. FMN linked dehydrogenases
Ans : B
24. Number of ATPs produced if reducing
equivalents enter the ETC via the malate
shuttle :
A. 1
B. 1.5
C. 2.5
D. 4
Ans : C
Glycerophosphate shuttle - linked to the
respiratory chain via a flavoprotein rather
than NAD
- found only in certain tissues
- produces only 1.5 ATPs per atom of O2
consumed

Malate shuttle - produces 2.5 ATPs

- more universal in distribution
1.Immediately after a carbohydrate-rich
meal, which of the following enzymes
will be increased?
A. Glucose-6-phosphatase
B. Hexokinase
C. Phosphorylase
D. Pyruvate carboxylase
Ans : B
PATHWAYS ACTIVE AFTER
A MEAL

 Glycolysis

 Glycogenesis

 Pentose phosphate pathway

 Lipogenesis

 Protein synthesis

 Uronic acid pathway

IN STUDYING METABOLIC
PATHWAYS, KNOW THE
FOLLOWING:
• When are they operational? Fed or fasting
state?
• In which cellular compartment do they
occur?
• Does this pathway have an AKA or alias?
• What are the rate limiting enzymes of this
pathway?
• What are its products?
• Regulation and control (Ex: hormones)
2.In the absence of Insulin, the
transport of glucose across the cell
membrane will be diminished in
which of the following tissues?
A. Brain
B. Liver
C. Muscle cell
D. Optic lens
Ans : C
INSULIN: lowers blood
glucose after a meal
 Actions :
1. facilitating the entry and transport
of glucose in tissues like adipose and
muscle tissues (by activating Glucose
Transporter 4/ GLUT4)
2. In the liver it stimulates the
synthesis of the key enzymes of
glycolysis and activates Glycogen
synthase (for glycogenesis)
3. Failure of the Phosphogluconate
pathway due to an enzyme
deficiency will result to which of the
following?
A. cataracts
B. connective tissue disorder
C. hypoglycemia
D. jaundice
Ans : D
The Oxidative Irreversible
Phase of the PPP/HMP/PGS
The Nonoxidative
Reversible Phase
DISORDER ASSOCIATED
WITH PPP

 GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE
DEHYDROGENASE (G6PD )
DEFICIENCY
 Most common enzymopathy

the missing product of this enzyme is?

what tissue will be most affected by the
absence of this product?
what will be the clinical manifestation?
NADPH AND ITS ROLE IN
RBCs
 Keeps Glutathione in the reduced
state
3. Essential pentosuria is the only
known abnormality of this pathway :
A. hexosamine pathway
B. pentose phosphate pathway
C. glycolysis
D. uronic acid pathway

Ans : D
THE URONIC ACID
PATHWAY
 Another alternative oxidative pathway
for glucose metabolism in the liver
 Has 3 important products:
1. GLUCORONATE - important for
conujugation reactions
2. ASCORBIC ACID - not produced in
humans due to absent
GULONOLACTONE OXIDASE enzyme
3. PENTOSES - D-xylulose which, as
glucose, may enter Glycolysis
The production
Of Ascorbate
And D-Xylulose
4. This pathway explains why Alanine is
the predominant amino acid found in
the blood of a fasting person :
A. Cori cycle
B. polyol pathway
C. Cahill cycle
D. gluconeogenesis

Ans : C
POLYOL PATHWAY
5. In the liver, this enzyme
phosphorylates glucose into glucose-
6-phosphate :
A. Hexokinase
B. Glucokinase
C. Phosphofructokinase
D. Pyruvate dehydrogenase

Ans : B
 HEXOKINASE
 Has a high affinity (low Km)
for glucose
 Is a constitutive enzyme
 Present in all cells except
liver parenchyma and
pancreatic islets
 Operates even in the
presence of low blood
glucose concentrations
 Phosphorylates other
hexoses
 Inhibited by glucose-6-PO4
 Importance?
GLUCOKINASE
 Has a high Km for glucose
 Induceable enzyme via
insulin
 Found only in hepatic cells
and pacreatic islets
 Operates optimally at blood
glucose concentrations of 5
mmol/L or after a meal
 Specific for glucose
 Not inhibited by its end
product, glucose-6-PO4
 Phosphorylates glucose for
glycogenesis
 Importance?
 6. The end point of glycogenolysis in
the exercising muscle is :
A. glucose-1-
phosphate B. glucose
C. glucose-6-
phosphate D. Lactate

Ans : D
7. Fatal hypoglycemia can result with
deficiency or absence of which of
the following enzymes?
A. phosphofructokinase
B. Fructose-1,6-biphosphatase
C. glycogen synthase
D.glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase
Ans : B
Recall :

Glucose-6-phosphatase is present only

in :
1. Liver

2. Kidneys

It is ABSENT IN MUSCLE
Congenital deficiency of glucose-6-
phosphatase is VON GIERKE’S
DISEASE
8. Lactate, glycerol and most amino
acids are substrates for which of the
following pathways?
A. Beta oxidation
B. Glycolysis
C. Gluconeogenesis
D. Pentose phosphate pathway

Ans : C
GLUCONEOGENESIS

 Synthesis of Carbohydrates from non-

carbohydrate sources

 SUBSTRATES FOR
GLUCONEOGENESIS:
1. Lactate
2. Glycerol
3. glucogenic amino acids
4. Propionate - odd-numbered fatty acid
Reversal of Pyruvate to PEP
PEP to Glucose
9. If the end product of glycolysis is
pyruvate, this will give how many net
ATPs?
A. 2
B. 8/7
C. 9
D. 10

Ans : B
REACTION ATPs USED Produced
Hexokinase 1
Phosphofructokinase 1
Gly-3-PO4 dehyd 5
Phosphogly kinase 2
Pyruvate kinase 2
Total ATPs produced 9
Minus ATPs used - 2
Net ATPs produced 7
ATP FORMATION FROM 1
MOLE OF GLUCOSE (W/ O2):
END OF PART ONE