Biochemistry : Biochemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Biochemistry

Which of the following amino acids coordinates the heme ring in hemoglobin?

Possible Answers:

Glycine

Histidine

Phenylalanine

Arginine

Lysine

Correct answer:

Histidine

Explanation:

In hemoglobin, the nitrogen group on the amino acid Histidine coordinates the heme ring in hemoglobin by binding to an iron atom located in the middle of the heme ring.

Example Question #2 : Transport Proteins

A nonspecific hexagonal structure that functions to allow movement of molecules between adjacent cells is termed a(n) __________.

Possible Answers:

transport protein

desmosome

gap junction

integrin

tight junction

Correct answer:

gap junction

Explanation:

A gap junction is a hexagonal protein that openly connects two adjacent cells. It is nonspecific, meaning it allows various different molecules and ions to travel through it. This type of transport is important for rapid communication between adjacent cells. For instance, gap junctions serve an important function in the heart - allowing the many cells present there to act as a functional syncytium. Integrins and tight junctions do not allow the passage of molecules between adjacent cells.

Example Question #2 : Transport Proteins

GLUT (glucose transporters) proteins transport glucose from the blood to cells. Which of the following statements about them are true?

I. GLUT proteins are integral membrane proteins.

II . GLUT proteins have their amino and carboxyl termini on the extracellular side of the plasma membrane.

III. Binding of glucose to the transporter protein leads to a conformation change and the transport of glucose to the inner side of the membrane. 

IV. GLUT-1, GLUT-3, and GLUT-4 proteins are ubiquitous; GLUT-2 is found in the liver, pancreas and kidney.

Possible Answers:

II and III

I, III, and IV

I and II

I, II, and III

II, III, and IV

Correct answer:

I, III, and IV

Explanation:

GLUT are integral membrane proteins.The proteins cross the membrane having the amino and carboxyl termini on the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane. Binding of glucose to the transporter leads to a conformational change, transport of glucose to the other side of the membrane. GLUT-1, GLUT -3 and GLUT-4 are present in most tissues; GLUT-2 is found in the liver, pancreas and kidney.

Example Question #44 : Biochemistry

Hemoglobin is an important component of red blood cells that allows for efficient delivery of oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body. Without hemoglobin, oxygen would not be able to dissolve in the blood well enough to meet the metabolic needs of tissues. Hemoglobin is well-suited to this function because its affinity for oxygen varies depending on its chemical environment. Which of the following situations would cause a rightward shift on the oxygen dissociation curve for hemoglobin?

Possible Answers:

Increased partial pressure of oxygen

Decreased pH

Decreased carbon dioxide levels

Hemoglobin's oxygen dissociation curve remains constant in the face of changing environmental parameters, thus it cannot move to the right

Decreased 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate concentration

Correct answer:

Decreased pH

Explanation:

An oxygen dissociation curve for hemoglobin plots the percent saturation of oxygen on the -axis vs. the partial pressure of oxygen on the -axis. A rightward shift of the curve means that for a given oxygen saturation level, there needs to be a higher partial pressure of oxygen. Thus, a rightward shift is indicative of a decreased affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen.

There are several factors that can influence hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. One such factor is pH. At lower pH levels, hemoglobin has a more difficult time holding onto oxygen. Physiologically this makes sense, because the blood is likely to be slightly more acidic in regions where tissues are metabolically active, hence they are going to need more oxygen to sustain their metabolism. Likewise, carbon dioxide is also capable of lowering hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. And again, this makes sense physiologically, because tissues with a high metabolism are going to be generating more carbon dioxide, which serves as a signal to allow hemoglobin to drop off more oxygen for these active tissues. And finally, an additional regulatory factor is a glycolytic intermediate called 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG). Binding of this compound to hemoglobin lowers oxygen affinity, thus higher concentrations of 2,3-BPG also cause a rightward shift of the curve.

Also note that oxygen binds hemoglobin in a cooperative fashion. This means that when one molecule of oxygen binds to hemoglobin, the other three oxygen binding sites on hemoglobin gain subsequently increased affinity for oxygen. And when a second oxygen molecule binds, the other binding sites gain more affinity, and so on. Thus, when the partial pressure of oxygen increases, hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen becomes greater. 

Example Question #41 : Biochemistry

Which of the following statements about ribosomes is false?

Possible Answers:

Ribosomes are ribozymes

Amino acids are attached to the corresponding tRNA 3’ end

Parts of tRNA sequences are complementary to ribosomal RNA sequences

None of the other answers are false

tRNA has an ACA sequence at its 3’ end

Correct answer:

tRNA has an ACA sequence at its 3’ end

Explanation:

Ribozymes are RNA molecules that catalyze specific biochemical reactions, so ribosomes (which catalyze the linking of amino acids) are indeed ribozymes. tRNA is complementary to ribosomal RNA in the sites where the two bind. Aminoacylation produces a tRNA with its 3’ end covalently linked to an amino acid. The sequence at the 3’ end is not ACA, however’ it is CCA.

 

 

Example Question #42 : Biochemistry

What term is used to describe enzymes that have different chemical structures but which catalyze the same reactions?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Coenzymes

Apoenzymes

Holoenzymes

Isozymes

Correct answer:

Isozymes

Explanation:

The correct answer choice is isozymes, also called isoenzymes. Even though these enzymes can catalyze the same reaction, they often have differences in their kinetic parameters or in the way they're regulated. Coenzymes are a type of cofactor. They are generally complex organic molecules that are usually derived from vitamins, and they serve the purpose of assisting the enzyme to which they are bound. Examples include pyridoxal phosphate, biotin, coenzyme A, etc. Apoenzymes are enzymes that normally require a cofactor, but are in a state in which they lack that cofactor. Holoenzymes are apoenzymes that have their cofactor bound.

Example Question #43 : Biochemistry

Which of the following is true about chromoproteins?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen than myoglobin

Hemoglobin F has a higher oxygen affinity than hemoglobin A

Myoglobin is mostly concentrated in the blood

Correct answer:

Hemoglobin F has a higher oxygen affinity than hemoglobin A

Explanation:

Heme normally binds to iron. Myoglobin is mostly concentrated in muscles, and after a muscle injury can be present in blood. Myoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen than hemoglobin; myoglobin’s oxygen saturation curve is hyperbolic, whereas hemoglobin’s is sigmoidal. Hemoglobin F (fetal hemoglobin) has a higher oxygen affinity than hemoglobin A (adult hemoglobin). This improves the transfer of oxygen from the circulation of the mother to that of the fetus.

Example Question #44 : Biochemistry

Which of the following is not a characteristic of chymotrypsin?

Possible Answers:

A thiol nucleophile

Performs proteolysis

A tetrahedral intermediate

A catalytic triad of serine, histidine, and aspartate

Correct answer:

A thiol nucleophile

Explanation:

Chymotrypsin is a digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins (proteolysis). It has a catalytic triad of serine, histidine, and aspartate. The hydroxyl group on serine acts as a nucleophile and attacks the carbonyl group on the amino acid, forming a tetrahedral intermediate. Histidine acts as a base, which cleaves the peptide bond. Aspartate acts as an acid, which restores the active site. Since this catalytic triad has a defined nucleophile, base, and acid, we know that there will not be an additional thiol nucleophile. Thiol nucleophiles are found in cysteine proteases.

Example Question #49 : Biochemistry

Generally speaking, proteins have many important functions in living organisms. Which of the following is not a potential function of proteins?

Possible Answers:

Serves as the primary structural component of cell membranes

Serve to protect an organism from harmful pathogens

Serve as chemical messengers

Transport substances across cell membranes

Speed up chemical reactions

Correct answer:

Serves as the primary structural component of cell membranes

Explanation:

As stated in the question stem, proteins are super important because they perform an enormous variety of functions. Proteins can sometimes serve a structural role, such as the protein collagen which helps give some connective tissues their unique properties. They can also act as chemical messengers, as some protein hormones do such as growth hormone. Some proteins, such as antibodies, can even protect against infection by neutralizing invading pathogens such as bacteria. In addition, proteins can also exist as enzymes, which act to greatly increase the rate of specific reactions. Other proteins can act as carriers or transporters that help to facilitate the movement of some chemicals across an otherwise impermeable cell membrane. While it's true that proteins play a very important structural and functional role in the cell membrane, they are not the primary structural component. Rather, phospholipids serve as the most abundant component of cell membranes and helps to give them their unique role as "cellular barriers."

Example Question #45 : Biochemistry

Which of these describes the protein myoglobin?

Possible Answers:

Myoglobin does not contain a heme group.

Myoglobin's highest level of protein structure is quaternary.

Myoglobin can bind four oxygen atoms.

It is the primary oxygen-carrying protein of muscle tissues.

Correct answer:

It is the primary oxygen-carrying protein of muscle tissues.

Explanation:

Myoglobin and hemoglobin are not the same molecule; their functions are similar but different in several ways. Myoglobin is an oxygen-binding protein of muscle tissues. In contrast, hemoglobin is the oxygen-transport protein found in blood. Hemoglobin can bind four oxygen atoms, while myoglobin can only bind one. Both hemoglobin and myoglobin contain heme groups, with hemoglobin containing four and myoglobin containing one. These iron-containing groups are responsible for binding the oxygen atom(s). 

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