Medical Biochemistry Exam 1 Questions
and Correct Answers/ Latest Update /
Already Graded
Describe the physical and chemical properties of water
Ans: Abnormally high boiling point (100 degrees Celsius)
Abnormally high freezing point (0 degrees Celsius)
Abnormally high melting point
Solid is less dense than liquid (ice floats in liquid water)
Heat capacity
H bonding
Dipolar character
Dissociation into charged particles
Describe the effects of hydrogen bonding in physiological solutions
Ans: Rates of enzyme reactions
Permeabiliyy of membranes to many molecules
Stability and conformation of proteins, etc.
Rates of transport through membranes
Absorption, etc. of drugs
Hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity of a compound
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
Explain the Henderson-Hasselbach equation
Ans: pH = pKa + log ([A-]/[HA])
When log = 0, pH = pKa and amount of acid/base is equal
Describe the role of buffers in physiology and chemistry
Ans: Buffers maintain the pH, to allow reactions to occur
without upsetting the balance of the system.
Phosphate and bicarbonate: bicarbonate buffer system is more
important because there is more of it (carbonic anhydrase is
important for the body)
Buffers keep pH within 1 pH unit (either side)
Describe the differences in metabolic and respiratory acidosis and
alkalosis
Ans: Metabolic acidosis - usage of "fuels" increase in lactic acid
in body, kidney excretes sulfuric acid, lactic acid, ammonia, and
phosphoric acid
Respiratory acidosis - carbonic acid to be excreted by lungs, too
much CO2 in body
Respiratory alkalosis - decreased in metabolism of fuels, too
much O2 due to hyperventilation, decrease pressure of CO2
Describe the categories of the 20 amino acids found in proteins
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |