UNE CHEM 1005: MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Course
UNE BIOCHEMISTRY
Question 1: Structure of Amino Acids
1. Question: Which part of the amino acid structure varies among different amino acids?
o A) Amino group
o B) Carboxyl group
o C) Side chain (R group)
o D) Hydrogen atom
Answer: C) Side chain (R group)
Rationale: The side chain (R group) is unique to each amino acid and determines its
specific properties and functions, while the amino and carboxyl groups are common
to all amino acids.
Question 2: Role of Enzymes
2. Question: What is the primary function of enzymes in biochemical reactions?
o A) They change the equilibrium of the reaction.
o B) They increase the activation energy.
o C) They act as catalysts to speed up reactions.
o D) They become consumed in the reaction.
Answer: C) They act as catalysts to speed up reactions.
Rationale: Enzymes are biological catalysts that lower the activation energy of
reactions, allowing them to proceed at a faster rate without being consumed.
Question 3: Glycolysis Pathway
3. Question: In glycolysis, glucose is converted to:
o A) Acetyl-CoA
o B) Lactic acid
o C) Pyruvate
o D) Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
Answer: C) Pyruvate
, Rationale: Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate,
producing a net gain of ATP and NADH in the process.
Question 4: Function of Lipids
4. Question: Which of the following is NOT a primary function of lipids in the body?
o A) Energy storage
o B) Insulation and protection
o C) Serving as enzymes
o D) Building cellular membranes
Answer: C) Serving as enzymes
Rationale: While lipids play crucial roles in energy storage, insulation, and forming
cell membranes, they do not function as enzymes; enzymes are primarily proteins.
Question 5: Structure of Nucleotides
5. Question: Which of the following components is NOT part of a nucleotide?
o A) Phosphate group
o B) Nitrogenous base
o C) Amino acid
o D) Sugar
Answer: C) Amino acid
Rationale: Nucleotides are composed of a phosphate group, a nitrogenous base, and a
sugar (ribose or deoxyribose). Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, not
nucleotides.
Question 6: Function of Coenzymes
6. Question: Coenzymes are important for which of the following reasons?
o A) They increase the temperature of enzymatic reactions.
o B) They help enzymes in transferring functional groups.
o C) They provide structural support to enzymes.
o D) They act as substrates for enzymes.
Answer: B) They help enzymes in transferring functional groups.
Rationale: Coenzymes assist enzymes in biochemical reactions by carrying chemical
groups from one substrate to another, facilitating various metabolic processes.
,Question 7: Energy Production
7. Question: The citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) primarily occurs in which cellular
organelle?
o A) Nucleus
o B) Ribosome
o C) Mitochondria
o D) Endoplasmic reticulum
Answer: C) Mitochondria
Rationale: The citric acid cycle takes place in the mitochondria, where it plays a key
role in energy production through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA and the generation of
electron carriers.
Question 8: Role of Insulin
8. Question: Insulin primarily functions to:
o A) Increase blood glucose levels
o B) Decrease blood glucose levels
o C) Stimulate gluconeogenesis
o D) Promote lipolysis
Answer: B) Decrease blood glucose levels
Rationale: Insulin is a hormone that facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells, thereby
lowering blood glucose levels and promoting the storage of glucose as glycogen.
Question 9: Protein Denaturation
9. Question: Which of the following factors can cause denaturation of proteins?
o A) Changes in pH
o B) High temperatures
o C) Exposure to heavy metals
o D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Denaturation of proteins can occur due to extreme changes in pH, high
temperatures, and exposure to heavy metals, leading to a loss of the protein's
functional structure.
, Question 10: Function of Hemoglobin
10. Question: Hemoglobin's primary function is to:
o A) Transport nutrients
o B) Carry oxygen in the blood
o C) Facilitate blood clotting
o D) Support immune function
Answer: B) Carry oxygen in the blood
Rationale: Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen in the lungs
and transports it to tissues throughout the body, playing a critical role in respiration.
Question 11: Types of Enzymes
11. Question: Which type of enzyme catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group?
o A) Hydrolases
o B) Transferases
o C) Oxidoreductases
o D) Ligases
Answer: B) Transferases
Rationale: Transferases are enzymes that transfer functional groups, such as
phosphate groups, from one molecule to another.
Question 12: Glycogen Storage
12. Question: Glycogen is primarily stored in which two organs?
o A) Brain and heart
o B) Liver and muscles
o C) Kidneys and pancreas
o D) Lungs and skin
Answer: B) Liver and muscles
Rationale: Glycogen is primarily stored in the liver and muscle tissues, where it
serves as a readily available source of glucose for energy.
Question 13: Lipid Composition
13. Question: Which of the following lipids is a key component of biological
membranes?
o A) Triglycerides
o B) Steroids
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Course
UNE BIOCHEMISTRY
Question 1: Structure of Amino Acids
1. Question: Which part of the amino acid structure varies among different amino acids?
o A) Amino group
o B) Carboxyl group
o C) Side chain (R group)
o D) Hydrogen atom
Answer: C) Side chain (R group)
Rationale: The side chain (R group) is unique to each amino acid and determines its
specific properties and functions, while the amino and carboxyl groups are common
to all amino acids.
Question 2: Role of Enzymes
2. Question: What is the primary function of enzymes in biochemical reactions?
o A) They change the equilibrium of the reaction.
o B) They increase the activation energy.
o C) They act as catalysts to speed up reactions.
o D) They become consumed in the reaction.
Answer: C) They act as catalysts to speed up reactions.
Rationale: Enzymes are biological catalysts that lower the activation energy of
reactions, allowing them to proceed at a faster rate without being consumed.
Question 3: Glycolysis Pathway
3. Question: In glycolysis, glucose is converted to:
o A) Acetyl-CoA
o B) Lactic acid
o C) Pyruvate
o D) Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
Answer: C) Pyruvate
, Rationale: Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate,
producing a net gain of ATP and NADH in the process.
Question 4: Function of Lipids
4. Question: Which of the following is NOT a primary function of lipids in the body?
o A) Energy storage
o B) Insulation and protection
o C) Serving as enzymes
o D) Building cellular membranes
Answer: C) Serving as enzymes
Rationale: While lipids play crucial roles in energy storage, insulation, and forming
cell membranes, they do not function as enzymes; enzymes are primarily proteins.
Question 5: Structure of Nucleotides
5. Question: Which of the following components is NOT part of a nucleotide?
o A) Phosphate group
o B) Nitrogenous base
o C) Amino acid
o D) Sugar
Answer: C) Amino acid
Rationale: Nucleotides are composed of a phosphate group, a nitrogenous base, and a
sugar (ribose or deoxyribose). Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, not
nucleotides.
Question 6: Function of Coenzymes
6. Question: Coenzymes are important for which of the following reasons?
o A) They increase the temperature of enzymatic reactions.
o B) They help enzymes in transferring functional groups.
o C) They provide structural support to enzymes.
o D) They act as substrates for enzymes.
Answer: B) They help enzymes in transferring functional groups.
Rationale: Coenzymes assist enzymes in biochemical reactions by carrying chemical
groups from one substrate to another, facilitating various metabolic processes.
,Question 7: Energy Production
7. Question: The citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) primarily occurs in which cellular
organelle?
o A) Nucleus
o B) Ribosome
o C) Mitochondria
o D) Endoplasmic reticulum
Answer: C) Mitochondria
Rationale: The citric acid cycle takes place in the mitochondria, where it plays a key
role in energy production through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA and the generation of
electron carriers.
Question 8: Role of Insulin
8. Question: Insulin primarily functions to:
o A) Increase blood glucose levels
o B) Decrease blood glucose levels
o C) Stimulate gluconeogenesis
o D) Promote lipolysis
Answer: B) Decrease blood glucose levels
Rationale: Insulin is a hormone that facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells, thereby
lowering blood glucose levels and promoting the storage of glucose as glycogen.
Question 9: Protein Denaturation
9. Question: Which of the following factors can cause denaturation of proteins?
o A) Changes in pH
o B) High temperatures
o C) Exposure to heavy metals
o D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Denaturation of proteins can occur due to extreme changes in pH, high
temperatures, and exposure to heavy metals, leading to a loss of the protein's
functional structure.
, Question 10: Function of Hemoglobin
10. Question: Hemoglobin's primary function is to:
o A) Transport nutrients
o B) Carry oxygen in the blood
o C) Facilitate blood clotting
o D) Support immune function
Answer: B) Carry oxygen in the blood
Rationale: Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen in the lungs
and transports it to tissues throughout the body, playing a critical role in respiration.
Question 11: Types of Enzymes
11. Question: Which type of enzyme catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group?
o A) Hydrolases
o B) Transferases
o C) Oxidoreductases
o D) Ligases
Answer: B) Transferases
Rationale: Transferases are enzymes that transfer functional groups, such as
phosphate groups, from one molecule to another.
Question 12: Glycogen Storage
12. Question: Glycogen is primarily stored in which two organs?
o A) Brain and heart
o B) Liver and muscles
o C) Kidneys and pancreas
o D) Lungs and skin
Answer: B) Liver and muscles
Rationale: Glycogen is primarily stored in the liver and muscle tissues, where it
serves as a readily available source of glucose for energy.
Question 13: Lipid Composition
13. Question: Which of the following lipids is a key component of biological
membranes?
o A) Triglycerides
o B) Steroids
