BCH313 Practice Questions

1. complete the table below about the nomenclature of fatty acids

Carbon skeleton Common name Structure Systemic name

12:0
14:0
18:1 (Δ9)
16:1 (Δ9)
18:3 (Δ9,1215)
Palmitic acid
Stearic acid

2. Give one example each of the following

i. ω-3 fatty acids

ii. ω-6 fatty acids
iii. poly unsaturated fatty acids
iv. monounsaturated fatty acids
v. saturated fatty acids

3. With example, explain the diagnostic significance of ketone bodies.

4. Discuss in details (including pathways and/or reactions where necessary), the roles of Acetyl
CoA Carboxylase and the enzymes of the Fatty acid synthase complex in the synthesis of a
named fatty acid.

5. State and Explain the reactions by which palmitate, produced after repeated rounds of fatty
acid synthase reactions, is elongated and desaturated into longer and unsaturated fatty acids.

6. Explain why linoleate, 18:2(Δ9,12), and α-linolenate, 18:3(Δ9,1215) are not synthesized de
novo in human cells.

7. β-oxidation of fatty acids consists of a sequence of four reactions that result in the shortening
of fatty acid chain by two carbons, discuss.

8. Account for the energy yield from the β-oxidation of palmitic acid.

9. How is ω-oxidation of fatty acids different from β-oxidation of fatty acids?

10. List the names and/or functions of the seven reaction domains that make up the fatty acid
synthase complex.

11. With focus on the structure (include a structural example) and function, write a short note on
any five classes of lipids
12. β-oxidation of saturated fatty acids involves repeated rounds of four enzymatic reactions that
account for sequential removal of 2-carbon units per round. List the four enzymes and explain
(using pathway only) their reactions

13. Differentiate between the following pairs

a. Ceramide and Cerebroside

b. Sphingosine and Sphingomyelin

c. Cerebroside and Sulfatide

d. Simple Triacylglycerol and Mixed triacylglycerol

e. etther glycerophospholipids and plasmalogens

f. Monoterpene and Sesquiterpene

14. Write briefly on the following subheadings with regards to the digestion of dietary lipids

a. Processing of dietary lipids in the stomach

b. Emulsification of dietary lipids in the small intestine

c. Triacylglycerol degradation by pancreatic enzymes in the small intestine

d. Cholesteryl ester degradation by pancreatic enzymes in the small intestine

e. Phospholipid degradation by pancreatic enzymes in the small intestine

15. What is the functional difference between the TAG synthesized in the adipose tissue and the
TAG synthesized in the liver of humans