Biochemical Foundations of Medicine Exam 1

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Questions and Answers

Which four elements are classified as major elements in biological systems?

Calcium, Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen

Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur

Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen (correct)

What percentage of the major elements is made up of hydrogen in biological systems?

63% (correct)

25%

Which element is crucial for the function of the Na/K pump?

Calcium

Sodium (correct)

Potassium (correct)

Iron

Which biomacromolecule type includes DNA and RNA?

Nucleic acids Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements is required for the synthesis of vitamin B12?

Cobalt Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of iron in the blood based on its oxidation states?

Is involved in oxygen transport Signup and view all the answers

Which organelle is not a part of the list of organelles created from biomacromolecules?

Ribosome Signup and view all the answers

How does the complexity of cells relate to their organization?

Complex cells possess a nucleus and compartmentalization Signup and view all the answers

What key feature distinguishes eukaryotes from prokaryotes?

Compartmentalization by membrane-bound organelles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes is involved when DNA viruses infect a host cell?

Endocytosis of the viral DNA genome Signup and view all the answers

How do RNA viruses differ in their infection mechanism compared to DNA viruses?

They form an RNA-DNA double stranded hybrid Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding DNA viruses?

They can integrate into chromosomes Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of micromolecules mentioned in the content?

They include substances like H2O and glucose Signup and view all the answers

In the context of viral lifecycle, what occurs after the RNA gets degraded during RNA virus infection?

Single stranded DNA is formed Signup and view all the answers

What role does Reverse Transcriptase serve in the lifecycle of RNA viruses?

It converts single stranded RNA to double stranded DNA Signup and view all the answers

Which type of nucleic acid can RNA viruses produce after their replication cycle?

Single stranded RNA Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chemical Evolution of Life

The universe's big bang theory resulted in the emission of subatomic particles and formation of elements, particularly Hydrogen.
Elements combined to create small molecules, which evolved into larger molecules and ultimately biomacromolecules, leading to the formation of the first cells.

Element Classification

Elements are categorized into major, minor, and biomacromolecules.
Major Elements: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen constitute over 99% of elements in organisms.
- Hydrogen: approximately 63% of major elements.
- Oxygen: around 25%.
- Carbon: roughly 9%.
- Nitrogen: about 2%.

Minor Elements and Their Functions

Minor elements include metals and nonmetals, crucial for various biological functions.
- Metals:
  - Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K): essential for Na/K pump and heart function.
  - Iron (Fe2+ and Fe3+): indicates oxygenated (red) and deoxygenated (blue) blood states.
  - Calcium (Ca): integral to bone structure.
  - Phosphorus (P): found in proteins and nucleic acids.
  - Zinc (Zn): detoxification in the liver, aids alcohol dehydrogenase.
  - Copper (Cu): present in mitochondrial complexes.
  - Cobalt (Co): component of vitamin B12, deficiency may cause anemia.
- Nonmetals:
  - Chlorine (Cl): important for gut chlorine channels.
  - Iodine (I): necessary for thyroid function, boosts immune defense.
  - Sulfur (S) and Selenium (Se): incorporated into proteins.

Biomacromolecules

Divided into micromolecules and macromolecules.
Macromolecules: Include polysaccharides, nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), proteins/enzymes, and lipids.
- Serve as building blocks for organelles (e.g., mitochondria, nucleus).
Cells consist of various organelles that collaborate to form living organisms.

Cell Classification

Cells can be classified as prokaryotes or eukaryotes.
- Prokaryotes: Simple cells lacking compartmentalization and membrane-bound organelles; have a nucleoid region containing DNA.
- Eukaryotes: More complex, possess membrane-bound organelles and a nucleus.

Viruses

Macromolecules can lead to the formation of viruses.
Differentiate between DNA viruses (e.g., SV40, plant viruses) and RNA viruses (e.g., COVID-19, Ebola, Zika, HIV).
- DNA viruses are inactive until they infect a host cell, using flagella for movement and hijacking cellular machinery for replication.
- RNA viruses integrate into host cells differently, forming RNA-DNA hybrids.
Reverse Transcriptase facilitates the transition from single-stranded RNA to DNA, leading to the production of more viruses.

Micromolecules

Micromolecules are smaller than macromolecules and the building blocks of life.
Examples include H2O, CO2, NH3, NO3-, PO4 3-, glucose, and fatty acids.

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Description

This quiz covers the chemical evolution of life and cells, starting from the big bang theory to the formation of biomacromolecules. Key topics include the emission of subatomic particles, the combination of elements, and the development of organelles. Test your understanding of these fundamental concepts in biochemistry as they relate to medicine.