Biochemistry Laboratory Techniques

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Questions and Answers

What is the common name of the separation method that has been used for thousands of years?

Gravitational sedimentation (correct)

Floatation

Electrostatic separation

Centrifugation

What is an example of the use of gravitational sedimentation?

Separating salt from sugar

Separating gold particles from sand (correct)

Separating water from oil

Separating iron from copper

What is the time period for which gravitational sedimentation has been used?

Decades of years

Millions of years

Hundreds of years

Thousands of years (correct)

What type of particles are separated from sand using gravitational sedimentation?

Gold particles Signup and view all the answers

What is the basis of the gravitational sedimentation separation method?

Density difference Signup and view all the answers

What is the technique used to study molecular interactions and the formation of enzyme complexes?

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the formation of enzyme complexes?

Structural changes in the enzyme Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of studying molecular interactions?

To understand the mechanism of gene expression Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of enzyme complexes in molecular interactions?

To regulate enzyme activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation in studying molecular interactions?

It allows for the study of DNA-protein interactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of rate-zonal centrifugation?

To separate particles based on their size and density Signup and view all the answers

In rate-zonal centrifugation, how is the sample loaded?

As a thin layer on top of a density gradient medium Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the technique that separates particles based on their size and density?

Rate-zonal centrifugation Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the density gradient medium in rate-zonal centrifugation?

To provide a density gradient for particle separation Signup and view all the answers

What is an alternative name for rate-zonal centrifugation?

Velocity sedimentation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of SAT in the metabolic pathway?

Catalyze the first reaction in sulfur fixation Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the process in which L-serine is converted to cysteine?

Sulfur fixation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using analytical ultracentrifugation in the study of SAT?

To elucidate the number of protein subunits present in the functional enzyme Signup and view all the answers

What is the starting material for the production of cysteine in bacteria?

L-serine Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of SAT in the bacterial cell?

To catalyze the first reaction in sulfur fixation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of centrifugation at 100,000 g for 48 hours?

To separate HDL from LDL Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of centrifugation at 100,000 g for 48 hours?

A layer of HDL at the top of the tube Signup and view all the answers

What is the density of the layer that floats after centrifugation at 100,000 g for 48 hours?

Lower than the surrounding liquid Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the layer that floats after centrifugation at 100,000 g for 48 hours?

HDL Signup and view all the answers

What is the unit of measurement for the force applied during centrifugation?

g Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gravitational Sedimentation

Gravitational sedimentation is a well-known separation method used for thousands of years, for example, to separate gold particles from sand.

Rate-Zonal Centrifugation

In rate-zonal centrifugation, the sample is loaded as a thin layer on the top of a density gradient medium.
This technique was used to study the semi-conservative replication of DNA.

Enzyme Study

Analytical ultracentrifugation methods were used to study the serine acetyltransferase (SAT) enzyme in E. coli.
The goal was to determine the number of protein subunits present in the functional enzyme.

Bacterial Metabolic Pathway

In bacteria, L-serine is converted to cysteine in a two-step process.
SAT catalyzes the first reaction in this metabolic pathway, known as "sulfur fixation".

Centrifugation Process

Centrifugation at 100,000 g for 48 hours produces a floating layer of HDL.
The same process, with the same conditions, produces a floating layer of LDL.

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Description

This quiz covers various laboratory techniques used in biochemistry, including gravitational sedimentation and rate-zonal centrifugation.