Respiratory Biochemistry Quiz

Mucins in Airways

• Mucins, such as MUC5AC and MUC5B, are the major mucins produced in the airways.

Regulation of Mucin Secretion

• Mucin secretion is regulated by various factors, including inflammatory mediators, neurotransmitters, and hormones.

Myeloperoxidase Function

• Myeloperoxidase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the defense against bacterial and fungal infections by breaking down mucus, making it more susceptible to degradation.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Function

• The primary function of α1-antitrypsin (AAT) is to inhibit elastase, a proteolytic enzyme that breaks down elastin, a key component of lung tissue.

Mutant Allele of AAT

• The Z mutant allele of α1-antitrypsin causes it to aggregate in the hepatocyte endoplasmic reticulum (ER), leading to its deficiency.

Leading Causes of Lung Cancer

• Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, while radon is the second leading cause.

Cotton Dust Exposure

• Exposure to cotton dust can cause byssinosis, a disease characterized by airway obstruction and lung inflammation.

Primary Protein Component of Mucus

• Mucins, particularly glycoproteins, are the primary protein components of mucus.

Regulation of Respiratory Acidosis or Alkalosis

• A major shift in the ratio of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood can lead to respiratory acidosis or respiratory alkalosis.

Mucin Secretion Regulation

• Mucin secretion is regulated by the parasympathetic nervous system.

Farmer's Lung

• The primary cause of farmer's lung is the inhalation of thermophilic actinomycetes, such as Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, found in moldy hay.

Elastin Degradation

• Elastase is the enzyme responsible for degrading elastin, a key component of lung tissue.

Test your knowledge of respiratory biochemistry with this quiz. Explore the structure, function, and secretion of airway mucus, as well as clinical biochemical markers of the respiratory system. Delve into the biochemistry of hemoglobin and the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen at the capillary.