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BPP702S - BIOCHEMISTRY BIOCHEMICAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE - 1ST OPP - NOVEMBER 2024 |
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nAml BIA UnlVERS ITV
OF SCIEnCE AnDTECHnOLOGY
FacultyofHealthN, atural
ResourceasndApplied
Sciences
Schoolof Natural and Applied
Sciences
Departmentof Biology,
Chemistryand Physics
QUALIFICATION : BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
QUALIFICATION CODE: 07BOSC
COURSE: BIOCHEMISTRY: BIOCHEMICAL
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE
DATE: NOVEMBER 2024
DURATION: 3 HOURS
13Jackson Kaujeua Street
Private Bag 13388
Windhoek
NAMIBIA
T: +264 61207 2012
F: +264 61207 9012
E: dbcp@nust.na
W: www.nust.na
LEVEL:7
COURSECODE: BPP702S
SESSION: 1
MARKS: 100
FIRST OPPORTUNITY: QUESTION PAPER
EXAMINER:
PROF LAMECH MWAPAGHA
MODERATOR:
DR HARRIS ONYWERA
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Answer all questions on the separate answer sheet.
2. Please write neatly and legibly.
3. Do not use the left side margin of the exam paper. This must be allowed for the
examiner.
4. No books, notes and other additional aids are allowed.
5. Mark all answers clearly with their respective question numbers.
PERMISSIBLE MATERIALS:
1. Non-Programmable Calculator
This question paper consists of four (4) pages including this front page.
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Question 1
[12]
(a) Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation calculate the pH of a solution composed of 0.20 M NH3
and 0.15 M NH4CI? (Kbfor NH3= 1.8 x 10-5)
(4)
(b) In 2024 the SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft returned to earth with a sample of a Martian single-celled
organism. Not surprisingly, extracts of the organism catalyzed the hydrolysis of ATP, showing
Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a Kmof 3.5 x 10-5 Mand a Vmaxof 90 µmoles-min- 1-mg protein- 1.
I. Give the Michaelis-Menten equation.
(2)
II. Calculate the velocity of the ATPase reaction at the following ATP concentrations:
(6)
a . S = 0. 75 X 10-6 M
b . S = 2.5 x 10-4 M
c. S = 0.035 M
Question 2
[16]
(a) Oxidative phosphorylation is a process involving a flow of electrons through the electron transport
chain, a series of proteins and electron carriers within the mitochondrial membrane. Briefly describe
this process.
(10)
(b) Discussthe role of inhibitors of the electron transport chain and their impact on ATP
production.
(6)
Question 3
[14]
(a) Delineate how mutations can affect the genetic code and protein synthesis.
(8)
(b) The figure below shows a stable structure of a protein. The dashed line divides the structure into
three regions labelled A, B, and C.
Biochemistry: Biochemical Principles and Practice (BPP702S)ist Opportunity November 2024
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A
B
I. Does this protein have a quaternary structure and how do you reach that conclusion? (2)
II. Explain why it is likely that each of these three regions folds independently.
(2)
Ill. Which one of the three parts of this protein is comprised mostly of a-helical secondary
structure?
(1)
IV. Which one of the three parts of this protein is comprised mostly of ~-sheet secondary
structure?
(1)
Question 4
[14]
(a) Briefly discuss how the irreversible steps in glycolysis are bypassed by alternate enzymes
specific to gluconeogenesis.
(8)
(b) Anaplerosis is the act of replenishing TCA cycle intermediates that have been extracted
for biosynthesis. Describe the anapleurotic reaction that aids in the formation of ma late
from pyruvate.
(6)
Biochemistry: Biochemical Principles and Practice (BPP702S)151 Opportunity November 2024
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Question 5
[12]
(a) Using structural formulas, write the balanced chemical equation in the Kreb cycle for the reaction
where Ma late is oxidized to form oxaloacetate leading to the production of the electron carrier
NADH.
(6)
(b) Briefly discuss the biosynthesis of the Fatty acids describing the role of the THREE(3)
important enzymes involved.
(6)
Question 6
[14]
(a) Briefly discuss how fatty acids are activated and transported into the mitochondria
(8)
(b) Match the phrase on the left with the letter of the answer on the right that bests matches the
description of fatty acid (FA) metabolism (only one answer best matches each description) (6)
I. An oxidant in FA degradation pathway: .....................
II. A reductant in FA synthesis pathway: .....................
Ill. Catalyzes the commitment step in FA degradation:=
IV. Building block of FA synthesis: .....................
V. Subcellular location of FA degradation: .....................
VI. Catalyzes the commitment step in FA synthesis:=
A. Palmitoyl CoA
B. Acetyl CoA carboxylase
C. Cytosol
D. FAD/FADH2
E. Carnitine acyltransferase I
F. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase
G. Mitochondrial matrix
H. Coenzyme Q (QH2)
I. Malonyl CoA
J. NADPH/NADP+
Question 7
[18]
(a) Explain the major stages of drug development from discovery to market approval
(10)
(b) Evaluate the impact of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (Al) and
biotechnology, on drug development.
(8)
THE END
Biochemistry: Biochemical Principles and Practice (BPP702S) pt Opportunity November 2024
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