Nitrogen Metabolism and Nucleotides Quiz

The process of creating pyrimidine bases, essential components of DNA and RNA.

The molecules used to build the pyrimidine ring structure. These include glutamine, CO2, and aspartate.

An important molecule synthesized in the first step of pyrimidine biosynthesis. It is then combined with aspartate.

A key intermediate formed during pyrimidine ring closure. It plays a crucial role in the pathway.

A sugar molecule that attaches to orotate in the final stage of pyrimidine biosynthesis.

The initial pyrimidine nucleotide formed after orotate combines with PRPP.

A mechanism where the end product of a pathway inhibits an earlier enzyme in the same pathway.

Drugs that interfere with pyrimidine synthesis, inhibiting cancer cell growth by limiting DNA and RNA production.

Amino acids are essential for protein synthesis, and they serve as precursors for various nitrogen-containing compounds.

1. Most amino acids are broken down for energy production or used to form glucose or ketone bodies.
2. A portion of amino acids are used as precursors for other nitrogen-containing compounds.

Heme, a component of hemoglobin, is synthesized using the amino acid glycine.

Adenine (A) and Guanine (G) are purine bases found in DNA and RNA, crucial for energy and signaling.

Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Uracil (U) are pyrimidine bases found in DNA and RNA, essential for energy and signaling.

A nucleotide is composed of a base (purine or pyrimidine), a sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), and a phosphate group.

Humans can obtain pyrimidine and purine nucleotides through two pathways: 1. By synthesizing them from simpler precursors. 2. By consuming preformed nucleotides from their diet.

This enzyme converts ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides, essential for DNA synthesis.

The process of converting released purine bases back into nucleotides for reuse.

A genetic disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzyme HGPRT, leading to an overproduction of uric acid and severe neurological problems.

Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase; an enzyme responsible for converting the purine bases hypoxanthine and guanine back into nucleotides.

They are released when nucleic acids are broken down in the body. They can either be recycled (salvaged) into nucleotides or excreted.

A breakdown product of purines. High levels of uric acid can lead to the disease gout.

A disease characterized by high levels of uric acid in the blood, causing joint pain, swelling, and inflammation.

The breakdown of purines into smaller molecules like uric acid.

High levels of uric acid in the blood can lead to the development of gout, a painful disease.

A genetic disorder where the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA) is missing or defective, leading to a buildup of deoxyadenosine, which is toxic to immune cells.

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, a life-threatening condition where both B and T cells are deficient, leaving the body vulnerable to infections.

The process of creating purine bases, essential components of DNA and RNA, from simpler molecules.

The nitrogen atoms in purine bases are derived from amino acids: glycine, aspartate and glutamine.

Tetrahydrofolate is a key carrier of one-carbon units in purine biosynthesis, essential for cell division.

IMP is the first purine nucleotide produced in biosynthesis and is a precursor for both AMP and GMP.

Humans obtain purines through two pathways: synthesis from simpler molecules within the body and salvage from nucleic acids in the diet.