a) Describe the activation of the signalling pathway
(8)
b) Briefly delineate functions of the Toll receptor signalling pathway
(6)
Question 3
[12]
a) What mechanisms do cancer cells use to escape from the primary tumour?
(4)
b) What have we learned about the initiation of cancer from studying families with
predisposinggerm-line mutations?
(8)
Question 4
a) Cyclic AMP is a ubiquitous second messenger that utilises various effectors that regulate a
multitude of cellular responses. Briefly describe Protein kinase A (PKA) as one of the effectors
responsible for carrying out the cyclic AMP signalling functions.
(S)
b) Mention SIX (6) strategies you could use in designing universal primers?
(6)
Question 5
[11]
a) Describe THREE (3) specific tasks that are generally tackled by computational tools used
in integrating 'omics' data.
(3)
b) Describe the anabolic role of the TCA cycle in fatty acid synthesis.
(8)
Question 6
[20]
a) Clinical research is one of the important steps in the drug development process. Outline
FOUR (4) important factors considered by researchers before the commencement of this
step.
(4)
b) Describe the two pathways utilized by the body for the excretion of compounds once they
have entered the bloodstream
(8)
c) The characteristic features of an ideal biomarker are variable and relay to some extent on the
application and classification of cancer biomarkers. Mostly, Cancer biomarkers have to fulfil
general properties to be considered ideal. State EIGHT (8) criteria that should be highly considered
for the selection of ideal diagnostic biomarkers.
(8)
Biosynthetic Pathways and Molecular Biology (BPM821S) 1st Opportunity November 2023
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