Biochemistry Exam Questions

Biochemistry Exam Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

• Removal of introns from mRNA is a process called splicing
• Hyperkalemia is a condition characterized by excessive levels of potassium in the blood
• Approximately 60-70% of body water exists in the intracellular fluid compartment
• Nucleic acids are molecules responsible for transferring genetic information from one generation to the next

Short Answer Questions

Importance of Biochemistry in Medicine

• Biochemistry plays a crucial role in understanding the underlying mechanisms of diseases and developing diagnostic tools
• It helps in the discovery of new drugs and their mode of action
• Biochemistry is essential for understanding the effects of nutrients and environmental factors on human health

Protein Denaturation

• Protein denaturation is the process of disrupting the native structure of a protein
• It can be caused by various factors such as temperature, pH, and chemicals
• Denaturation can lead to loss of protein function and aggregation

Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides

• Monosaccharides are simple sugars that cannot be broken down into simpler sugars
• Examples: glucose, fructose, galactose

Oligosaccharides

• Oligosaccharides are carbohydrates composed of 2-10 monosaccharide units
• Examples: sucrose, lactose, maltose

Polysaccharides

• Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of more than 10 monosaccharide units
• Examples: starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin

Classification of Amino Acids

• Amino acids can be classified based on the nature of their R-group
• Examples:
  • Non-polar amino acids: alanine, valine, leucine
  • Polar amino acids: serine, threonine, asparagine
  • Acidic amino acids: aspartic acid, glutamic acid
  • Basic amino acids: lysine, arginine, histidine

Long Answer Questions

Lipids

• Lipids are biomolecules that are insoluble in water and serve as energy storage molecules
• Functions:
  • Energy storage
  • Structural components of cells
  • Hormone production
  • Absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
• Classifications:
  • Simple lipids: fats, oils, waxes
  • Complex lipids: phospholipids, glycolipids, lipoproteins
  • Derived lipids: steroids, fatty acids

Proteins

• Proteins are biomolecules composed of amino acids that perform a wide range of biological functions
• Classification based on composition:
  • Simple proteins: composed of amino acids only
  • Conjugated proteins: composed of amino acids and non-protein molecules
  • Derived proteins: composed of modified amino acids
• Functions:
  • Enzymatic catalysis
  • Structural roles
  • Transport of molecules
  • Regulation of metabolic pathways
  • Defense against pathogens