Biochemistry : Identifying Biochemical Molecules

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Identification By Structure

Compared to an RNA molecule, a DNA molecule has __________ thymine molecules and __________ deoxygenated sugars.

Possible Answers:

more . . . fewer

more . . . more

fewer . . . more

fewer . . . fewer

Correct answer:

more . . . more

Explanation:

DNA and RNA molecules contain four types of nitrogenous bases. Guanine, cytosine and adenine are found in both whereas thymine is only found in DNA and uracil is only found in RNA. This means that DNA molecules will have more Thymine bases than RNA molecules. Another difference between DNA and RNA molecule is the type of pentose sugar. RNA contains ribose sugar whereas DNA contains deoxyribose. Deoxyribose contains one less hydroxyl group than ribose; therefore, DNA molecules have more deoxygenated sugars than RNA.

Example Question #27 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

Which of the following are pyrimidines?

Possible Answers:

Cytosine (C), uracil (U), and thymine (T) 

Adenine (A) and guanine (G)

Adenine (A), guanine (G), and uracil (U) 

Cytosine (C) and uracil (U) 

Correct answer:

Cytosine (C), uracil (U), and thymine (T) 

Explanation:

Think of it as this. CUT the PY (pie) PYrimidines. PURe As Gold. PURines. A will pair with T (and U in RNA). G will pair with C. The deamination of cytosine makes uracil, which is in RNA. 

Example Question #28 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

All of the following amino acids are chiral except __________.

Possible Answers:

proline

cysteine

threonine

glycine

alanine

Correct answer:

glycine

Explanation:

In a biochemistry course, we often rely on important information that was learned during general and organic chemistry. One important concept to remember is chirality. A molecule is chiral if it is not superimposable on its mirror image. These molecules lack a plane of symmetry.  

It is a common mistake for students to think that all amino acids are chiral. While most amino acids are chiral, glycine is in fact achiral. Remember, the side chain on glycine is simply a hydrogen. The central carbon therefore is connected to two hydrogens, and is not a stereocenter.

Example Question #363 : Biochemistry

Which of the following sphingolipids is also a phospholipid? 

Possible Answers:

Ganglioside

Cerebroside

Sphingomyelin

Ceramide

Correct answer:

Sphingomyelin

Explanation:

Spinghomyelin has a head group of phosphotidylcholine, which makes sphingomyelin a phospholipid. None of the other lipids have phosphates, and therefore are not phospholipids. 

Example Question #364 : Biochemistry

After a serum test, it is observed that a patient has very low levels of a substance. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) analysis reveal that the substance has a three-carbon backbone that has two, long hydrocarbon chains and a phosphate group attached. Which of the following structures is most likely compromised in this patient?

Possible Answers:

Cytoskeleton

Chromatin

Plasma membrane

Ribosomes

Correct answer:

Plasma membrane

Explanation:

To answer this question we need to recall the structure of the different macromolecules. Proteins are made up of amino acids, nucleic acids are made up of nitrogenous bases, phosphate groups and 5-carbon sugars, carbohydrates are made up of monosaccharides, and most of the lipids are made up of a three-carbon glycerol molecule attached to varying numbers of fatty acids and other molecules. If there are three fatty acids attached to three of the carbons of glycerol, then it is classified as a triglyceride. If there are two fatty acids and a phosphate group, then it is a phospholipid; therefore, the molecule mentioned in this question is phospholipid. Recall that phospholipids are mainly found in cellular membranes, such as plasma membrane.

Note that certain lipids such as cholesterol and sphingolipids don’t have 3-carbon backbone molecule with fatty acids. They are organized in a different manner. Cholesterol is a ring structure with four rings and hydroxyl group whereas sphingolipids are synthesized from sphingosine.

Example Question #365 : Biochemistry

Which of the following functions is not compromised due to low levels of lipids?

Possible Answers:

Rate of absorption of vitamin D

Elimination of free radicals

Vision

Clotting cascade

Correct answer:

Rate of absorption of vitamin D

Explanation:

Recall that there are four main nonpolar vitamins (lipids): vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin A is an important vitamin for proper functioning of eye and can be found in foods containing carotene, such as carrots. Vitamin D is involved in the absorption of key minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphate. It is usually obtained through sun exposure. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and is used to prevent the effects of reactive oxygen species (free radicals). Finally, Vitamin K is a clotting factor that is essential to repair and clot damaged endothelial walls and tissue.

Decreased levels of lipids will actually increase the absorption of these essential lipid vitamins. The body will try to absorb even the slightest amount of vitamins in diet to compensate for the depletion of these vitamins; therefore, the rate of absorption of Vitamin D will increase.

Example Question #361 : Biochemistry

What type of lipid structure requires a phosphate group, and what is the most common use of this lipid structure in a cell?

Possible Answers:

Steroids, cholesterol

Phospholipids, cell membranes

Triacylglycerides, fats

Free floating fatty acids, acetyl-CoA

Phospholipids, ATP

Correct answer:

Phospholipids, cell membranes

Explanation:

Phospholipids, as the name implies, require a phosphate head group attached to two fatty acid tails. Their polar phosphate head groups and non-polar fatty acid tails are perfect for a bi-layer membrane, where 2 layers of phospholipids are arranged such that their non-polar tails face each other and their polar phosphate head groups face outwards.

Example Question #1 : Identification By Function

Which type of lipid is both an important component of cell membranes and the precursor of steroid hormones?

Possible Answers:

Sterols

Phospholipids

Fatty acids

Acetyl-CoA

Triacylglycerols

Correct answer:

Sterols

Explanation:

The correct answer is "sterols." The most common sterol in animals is cholesterol, which is an important structural component of cell membranes and the precursor to steroid hormones. Acetyl-CoA is not a lipid but is a precursor to cholesterol itself. The other answers are lipids with other functions. While phospholipids are an important part of cell membranes, they are not precursors to steroid hormones.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Specific Carbohydrate Functions

Upon examination, a patient is found to have low levels of glucose in his blood. Which of the following observation(s) might be found in this patient?

I. The patient is lethargic

II. Decreased levels of glycogen

III. Decreased levels of fatty acids

Possible Answers:

I and II

II only

I and III

I, II, and III

Correct answer:

I, II, and III

Explanation:

Glucose is a monosaccharide that is utilized for energy production in cells. Decrease in glucose levels in blood and tissues will lead to decreased production of energy (ATP) and, subsequently, will cause the person to be lethargic. Recall that glucose undergoes glycolysis to create products that will eventually undergo Krebs cycle and/or oxidative phosphorylation to generate ATP.

Glycogen is a storage molecule found typically in liver. It is made up of numerous glucose molecules bonded together by glycosidic bonds. If there is a decrease in blood glucose levels, liver initiates the breakdown of glycogen to individual glucose molecules and deposits these molecules in the blood; therefore, this patient’s liver will break down glycogen and create individual glucose molecules.

Fatty acid is another type of macromolecule used to synthesize energy. If there is a decrease in levels of glucose, fatty acids from adipose tissue and muscle will be mobilized and released into the blood. These fatty acids will now travel to tissues and supply energy (by generating ATP).

Example Question #1 : Identifying Specific Carbohydrate Functions

Atkins diet is a special diet that involves low intake of carbohydrates. Which of the following molecules might be elevated in a person following the Atkins diet?

Possible Answers:

Ketone bodies in blood

Blood glucose

Glycogen stores in liver

More than one of these

Correct answer:

Ketone bodies in blood

Explanation:

Carbohydrates are first lines of energy source for tissues. If there is a decrease in the amount of carbohydrates, then other energy sources such as fatty acids and proteins are mobilized and undergo metabolism to produce energy. One of the byproducts of fatty acid metabolism are ketone bodies; therefore, a decrease in carbohydrates will lead to an increase in fatty acid metabolism and, subsequently, an increase in ketone bodies.

Glycogen stores will be depleted because liver will respond to the decreased glucose levels and break down glycogen to component glucose molecules. Low carbohydrate concentration will decrease blood glucose levels.

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