Biochemistry : Biochemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Hormones And Neurotransmitters

The peptide hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is secreted from the pituitary gland and stimulates the production of the glucocorticoid cortisol in the adrenal cortex. Which of the following best describes the feedback pathway by which ACTH is regulated by cortisol? 

Possible Answers:

Cortisol stimulates the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, which results in an increase in ACTH released from the pituitary gland. This is a positive feedback loop. 

Cortisol stimulates the release of fibroblast growth factor hormone from the hypothalamus, which results in an increase in ACTH released from the pituitary gland. This is a positive feedback loop. 

Cortisol inhibits the release of fibroblast growth factor hormone from the hypothalamus, which results in a decrease in ACTH released from the pituitary gland. This is a negative feedback loop. 

Cortisol stimulates the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, which results in a decrease in ACTH released from the pituitary gland. This is a positive feedback loop. 

Cortisol inhibits the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, which results in a decrease in ACTH released from the pituitary gland. This is a negative feedback loop. 

Correct answer:

Cortisol inhibits the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, which results in a decrease in ACTH released from the pituitary gland. This is a negative feedback loop. 

Explanation:

ACTH is regulated by a negative feedback loop, in which ACTH secretion stimulates production of cortisol, but this feeds back on to the hypothalamus to inhibit the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH is a positive regulator of ACTH production, so a decrease in CRH ultimately results in a decrease in ACTH. 

Example Question #4 : Hormones And Neurotransmitters

Deactivation of phospholipase-C will cause which of the following? 

Possible Answers:

Maintenance of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3) in the plasma membrane

Release of diacylglycerol (DAG) from the plasma membrane

Increase in cytosolic calcium levels

Release of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) from the plasma membrane

Correct answer:

Maintenance of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3) in the plasma membrane

Explanation:

Phospholipase C normally breaks down phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3) into diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3). This cascade eventually increases cytosolic calcium levels through its release from the endoplasmic reticulum and from the extracellular fluid. Malfunction in this enzyme results in PIP3 not being broken down.

Example Question #2 : Peptide Hormone Pathways

Insulin does all of the following except __________.

Possible Answers:

increase DNA replication

promote gluconeogenesis

increase protein synthesis

promote glycogen synthesis

decrease lipolysis

Correct answer:

promote gluconeogenesis

Explanation:

Insulin is a peptide hormone that is released in the fed state. Thus, it promotes glucose storage and DNA replication, but decreases glycogen breakdown and the release of glucose.

Example Question #1 : Hormones And Neurotransmitters

Which of the following is true about glucagon?

Possible Answers:

It is released by beta cells in the pancreas

It increases in the blood after a high carbohydrate meal

It is secreted by the liver

It promotes the release of glucose in the blood

It is a steroid hormone

Correct answer:

It promotes the release of glucose in the blood

Explanation:

Glucagon is a peptide hormone that is released in the fasted state. It stimulates macromolecule breakdown and the production and subsequent release of glucose into the blood stream. It is synthesized and released from the alpha-cells in the pancreatic islets.

Example Question #2 : Hormones And Neurotransmitters

All of the following will induce insulin release into the blood except __________.

Possible Answers:

a high carbohydrate meal

All of these would stimulate insulin release.

an increase in blood glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)

an increase in incretins in the blood

an increase in blood growth hormone

Correct answer:

an increase in blood growth hormone

Explanation:

Insulin release is induced by incretins in the blood (ex. GLP-1), and a high carbohydrate meal. Incretins are metabolic hormones that stimulate a decrease in blood glucose. Growth hormone does not cause an increase in blood insulin.

Example Question #61 : Biochemical Signaling

All the following are true about pancreatic beta-cells except that __________.

Possible Answers:

they are primarily found on the outer edges of pancreatic islets

they are activated in the fasted state

they produce somatostatin

they only produce one type of product

they are in found in small amounts in pancreatic islets of the pancreas

Correct answer:

they are in found in small amounts in pancreatic islets of the pancreas

Explanation:

Beta-cells are found in the majority of the inner area of pancreatic islets. They are the most common cell in the pancreatic islet. Beta-cells produce both insulin and C-peptide, and are primarily active in the fed state. The gamma cells of the pancreatic islets secrete somatostatin.

Example Question #62 : Biochemical Signaling

Which of the following is true regarding insulin?

Possible Answers:

C-peptide quantities in the bloodstream can be used as a marker for insulin secretion in the blood

It is elevated during a fasted state

It is involved in the translocation of the GLUT-1 receptor in muscle

It is produced by alpha-cells in the pancreas

It is produced by beta-cells in the liver

Correct answer:

C-peptide quantities in the bloodstream can be used as a marker for insulin secretion in the blood

Explanation:

C-peptide is produced in equal amounts as insulin, but has a longer half-life and thus is a better indicator of insulin release. Insulin is produced by beta-cells in the pancreas during a fed state. Insulin is involved in translocation of the GLUT-4 receptor.

Example Question #63 : Biochemical Signaling

Glucagon secretion is induced by all the following except __________.

Possible Answers:

an increase in epinephrine

a decrease in blood sugar

an increase in cortisol

a decrease in blood insulin

an increase in blood insulin

Correct answer:

an increase in blood insulin

Explanation:

Glucagon is released in a fasted or high-stress state (including increased concentration of blood cortisol or epinephrine). It is also induced when blood insulin levels are decreased. Recall that glucagon and insulin have antagonistic functions, and are thus secreted in opposite temporal patterns.

Example Question #64 : Biochemical Signaling

Which amino acid is not a precursor for a neurotransmitter?

Possible Answers:

Phenylalanine

Tryptophan

Tyrosine

Histidine

Serine

Correct answer:

Serine

Explanation:

Tryptophan is a precursor for serotonin. Phenylalanine is a precursor for dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Histamine acts both as a mediator of the inflammatory response and as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Tyrosine is a precursor for dopamine. Serine is not a precursor for any neurotransmitter.

Example Question #63 : Biochemical Signaling

What hormones ultimately activate the production of glucose within a cell?

Possible Answers:

Glucagon, insulin

Glucagon, epinephrine

Glucagon, glucose

Insulin, glucose

Insulin, epinephrine

Correct answer:

Glucagon, epinephrine

Explanation:

Glucagon receptors and beta-adrenoreceptors (for epinephrine) on cells trigger the release of cAMP, starting a phosphorylation cascade which ultimately activates glycogen phosphorylase and inhibits glycogen synthase. In liver cells, alpha-adrenoreceptors (also for epinephrine) releases calcium ions, which also begins a phosphorylation cascade ultimately leading to glycogen degradation. Glycogen is broken down into glucose which can undergo glycolysis for the production of ATP.

One must know the phosphorylation system in order to fully understand this conclusion, but logically, an increase of glucose in a cell (or insulin, which is released when blood glucose levels are high) shouldn't trigger a cell to make more glucose, as this implies there is an abundance of glucose in the cell.

Epinephrine, released by adrenal glands, is a neurotransmitter which is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, in which an organism needs energy fast. Therefore, an increase of glucose is needed for glycolysis.

Glucagon, released by the pancreas, is directly released when blood glucose levels are low, and therefore it is logical that it must signal for an increase of glucose production.

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