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Starch
Starch is a polymer (i.e. polysaccharide) whose monomers are a-glucose molecules, that are joined together
by glycosidic bonds.
Starch is a polymer of a-glucose, so it stores a lot of energy.
Starch is a mixture of two substance, amylose and amylopectin.
Amylose releases glucose more slowly overtime keeping you going longer whereas amylopectin releases
glucose for cellular respiration, rapidly when needed.
Amylose
It is a polysaccharide made by the condensation of a-glucose that are joined together by 1-4 glycosidic bond.
Amylose has a non branching (i.e. linear) chain where the chain is coiled forming helical (i.e. spiral) structure,
making the final molecule more compact, so it takes up less space, with more glucose being stored in smaller
space, so it doesn’t get into the way of organelles or substances moving around in cell.
Amylopectin
It is a polysaccharide made by the condensation of a-glucose that are linked together by 1-4 and 1-6
glycosidic bonds. Amylopectin has a branching chain formed by 1-6 glycosidic bonds so starch is quickly
hydrolyzed, but chains are shorter than amylose.
This structure causes amylopectin to be insoluble, compact (i.e. takes up less space) with high density, and
rapidly hydrolyzed and so this make starch have a metabolic function by being a convenient energy storage
molecule.
Note that, a mixture of amylose and amylopectin build up into large starch grains found in
chloroplast and in storage organs such as potato tubers and seeds.
Glycogen
Glycogen is a polymer (i.e. polysaccharide) whose subunits are a-glucose molecules that are linked
together by 1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds. Glycogen is an energy storage molecule that is similar in
structure to amylopectin but is more branched, so that glucose can be rapidly released (i.e. glycogen
rapidly hydrolyzed) for cellular respiration in cells to provide energy when needed. Also, for rapid storage
of glucose in cells.
Note that, glycogen tend to clump together to form granules, which are visible in liver and muscle cells,
where they form energy reserve.
Properties of glycogen that makes it a good storage molecule
•Low solubility or insoluble, so it won’t lower the water potential nor the osmotic pressure inside cells, so
no effect on chemical reactions inside cells.
•Many terminals (i.e. ends) for easy attachment and removal of glucose (highly branched)
•Glucose can be stored quickly.
•Rapidly hydrolyzed by specific enzymes giving glucose easily and quickly when required for respiration
and energy release.
•The structure of glycogen makes it more compact, thus taking up less space (allow storage of large
quantities of glucose in a small space), such that it does not get into the way of organelles or substances
moving around inside the cell.
Globular proteins
•Globular proteins are water soluble, this is because amino acids with hydrophilic polar R groups
are facing outwards -so hydrogen bonds are formed with water- while amino acids with
hydrophobic non polar R groups are pointing inside towards the center of the molecule.
•They curl up into spherical (globular) shape and have tertiary structure with specific 3D shape
making them metabolically active.
(Some have quaternary structure)
•Many globular proteins have metabolic functions, so if their shape is altered slightly by changing
conditions, they lose their ability to function.
•Examples include hemoglobin, myoglobin, insulin, antibodies, and enzymes.
•Note that, globular proteins do not fully dissolve to make a solution, instead the molecules are so
big, forming a colloid (a suspension of molecules that are not fully dissolved).
How amino acids join together to form the 3D structure of protein?
•Formation of peptide bond between amino group of one amino acid and carboxyl group of
another.
•Primary structure is the sequence of amino acids in polypeptide chain.
•This determines the position of R groups, orientation and arrangement, and also the type of
bonds between R groups of amino acids (i.e. the R group interaction including hydrogen bonds
between polar groups, disulfide bonds between cysteine SH groups, ionic bonding between
ionized amine and carboxylic acid groups and hydrophobic interaction between non polar side
chains).
•This in turn determines the overall folding and coiling of polypeptide chain into tertiary structure
giving a specific shape of active site which is complimentary to substrate.
•Moreover, amino acids with hydrophilic polar R groups are facing outwards, while amino acids
with hydrophobic non polar R groups are pointing inside to the center of the molecule making it
water soluble as enzymes are globular proteins with tertiary structure.
•Form specific shape of active site.
Fibrous protein
Have simpler structure (no tertiary structure), with polypeptides lying parallel to each other so
more stable to changes in pH and temperature. They don’t curl up but form long strands with
many cross links (cross linked chains). They are water insoluble with large number of repeating
amino acid sequences. Fibrous proteins have structural function, being very tough thus giving
strength.
•Keratin found in nails, hair and the outer layer of the skin making these structures waterproof.
•Collagen (structural protein) provides strength to the artery wall, as blood pressure is high in
arteries.
Comparison between Fibrous and Globular proteins
•Fibrous proteins have a long strand, narrow fiber like structure and have no tertiary
structure (no complex folding). While globular proteins have round (spherical) shape with
tertiary structure (complex folding) and sometimes quaternary structure.
•Fibrous proteins have structural function while globular proteins have metabolic function.
•Fibrous proteins have large number of repeating amino acid sequences while globular
proteins have irregular amino acid sequence.
•Fibrous proteins are more stable and are less sensitive to changes in pH and
temperature while globular proteins are more sensitive to changes in temperature and pH.
•Fibrous proteins are insoluble in water, with non polar R groups facing outwards while
globular proteins are soluble in water with hydrophilic R groups facing outwards.
•Examples of fibrous protein includes (collagen in tendons, keratin, myosin in muscles).
Examples of globular proteins include (hemoglobin, myoglobin, immunoglobulin, insulin
and enzymes)
Secondary structure
•It is the regular folding or coiling of polypeptide chain, held in shape by
hydrogen bonding between the oxygen of -CO- group of one amino acid and
the hydrogen of the -NH- group of another amino acid.
•(Note that, R groups are not involved in secondary structure)
•Types of folding include (a-helix and b-pleated sheet)
a-helix
•The polypeptide is coiled into a spiral shape.
•Hydrogen bonds between amino acids in the same polypeptide chain
stabilize the a-helix structure, with peptide bonds forming backbone and R
groups protruding in all directions.
b-pleated sheet
•Much looser and straighter in shape than a-helix.
•Polypeptide chain is held into regular, parallel pleats (i.e. flat sheets).
•Held together by hydrogen bonds between the amino and carboxyl groups
of amino acids.
Collagen
•Collagen is an insoluble, fibrous protein, found in tendons, cartilage,
bones, teeth and walls of blood vessels.
•It is made up of three polypeptide chains (i.e. have quaternary
structure), each in a shape of helix but not a-helix as it is not tightly
wound.
•Glycine -the smallest amino acid- is repeated every third position in
each polypeptide.
•The three helical polypeptides are wound around each other forming
triple helix (i.e. helical structure).
•Which are held together by many hydrogen bonds.
•Also, they are held by covalent bonds -cross links- between collagen
molecules lying parallel to each other (between the R groups of amino
acids lying next to each other) to form fibrils.
•Many fibrils lie along each other forming strong bundles called fibers.
•This structure gives collagen high tensile strength, where it can
withstand large pulling forces without stretching or breaking.

•Note that, collagen is found in walls of arteries to withstand high blood


pressure and prevent over-stretching thus preventing bursting or
rapture.
•Genetic disease called osteogenesis imperfecta causes the collagen
triple helix not to develop properly so the bone doesn’t have much tensile
strength, so it becomes brittle and breaks easily.
Conjugated proteins
These are protein molecules attached to (conjugated to) another molecules
known as prosthetic group (i.e. molecules not made up of amino acids)
Examples include hemoglobin, lipoproteins and glycoproteins.
Hemoglobin Lipoproteins Glycoproteins
•It is globular in shape (where •These are protein molecules that •These are proteins with
carbohydrates
four polypeptide chains fold are conjugated with lipids.
•Where lipoproteins have an prosthetic group, where
giving globular structure).
the carbohydrate part
•Water soluble, as amino important role in the transport of
helps them to hold a lot
acids with polar hydrophilic R cholesterol in blood.
of water and also makes
groups are facing cytosol •As triglycerides are insoluble, so
it harder for protein
they are conjugated with proteins digesting enzymes (i.e.
(i.e. cytoplasm) forming
forming lipoproteins -either LDL proteases) to break
hydrogen bond with water.
or HDL- formed into vesicles. them down.
•It is made up of four
•LDL contains saturated fat, •Examples include,
polypeptide chains (2a and
cholesterol and proteins mucus and synovial fluid
2b of globins) and therefore,
-apoproteins- while HDL contains which reduces friction.
has quaternary structure.
unsaturated fats, cholesterol and Where mucus is
•Each polypeptide chain has produced in the stomach
protein.
a heam group (i.e. prosthetic to protect protein walls
•LDL carries cholesterol to your
group which is not made up of cells where it binds to the cell from digestion.

amino acids) made up of membrane (yet too much LDL


Fe2+ ion attached to a causes accumulation -i.e. build up-
porphyrin ring to bind with of cholesterol in artery walls
oxygen forming causing them to narrow). While
oxyhemoglobin. HDL carries excess cholesterol
•So, four polypeptides (heam from body tissue back to the liver
groups) carry four oxygen where it is broken down and
molecules (4O2) removed from the body.
•Note that, HDL contains more
proteins than LDLs which is
partially why they are more dense,
as proteins are more compact
molecules than lipids.
Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

2 January 2014 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1


1A.3. Carbohydrates 2: Polysaccharides

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1A. 3. Carbohydrates 2: polysaccharides

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•Replacing lost water.


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•Where extra water lowers the solute potential in the lumen.


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•Therefore, less water enters the lumen from the blood (i.e. reduces
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osmosis from blood).


•Also, starch is a polysaccharide so it is insoluble, and therefore has no
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osmotic effect.
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Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 004


The linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain that are joined
together by peptide bonds.

The primary structure of enzymes (i.e. the sequence of bases in polypeptide


chain) determines the position, orientation and arrangement of R groups of
amino acids, which in turn determines the interaction (i.e. bonding between R
groups) including hydrogen bonds between polar groups, ionic bond between
ionized amine and carboxylic acid groups, disulfide bond between cysteine
groups as well as hydrophobic interaction between non polar side chains,
that determines the overall folding and coiling of polypeptide chain giving a
specific three dimensional shape of protein. Where enzymes are globular
proteins, meaning that their three dimensional shape makes them
metabolically active, so they have specific shape of active site which is
complimentary to specific substrate also, they are water soluble as amino
acids with non polar hydrophobic R groups are pointing inwards towards the
center of the molecule.
Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

a-glucose and b-galactose join together by condensation reaction involving

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the loss of water molecule and causing the formation of 1-4 glycosidic
bonds.

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Enzymes are specific, where each enzyme has a specific shape of


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their active site which is determined by specific sequence of amino Linked to 2B.2.
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acids with specific R groups that is maintained by R group


How enzymes
work
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interaction including hydrogen bonds between polar groups, ionic


bonds between ionized amine and carboxylic acid groups, disulfide
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bonds between cysteine SH groups and hydrophobic interaction


between non polar side chains. The active site of enzyme is
complimentary in shape to one substrate only, therefore one
substrate can bind to specific enzyme forming enzyme substrate
complex. Where the shape of glucose and galactose are different so
they require different enzymes.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 011


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

Small Large

Monosaccharides are composed of a single sugar unit while polysaccharides are composed
of many sugar units. Linked to 1A.3.
•Monosaccharides Carbohydrates 2:
Monosaccharides have no glycosidic bonds while polysaccharides have glycosidic bonds
cannot be Polysaccharides
holding monomers together.
hydrolysed while
Monosaccharides are sweet, and soluble with osmotic effect while polysaccharides are non
polysaccharides
can be hydrolysed
sweet and insoluble with no effect on water potential (i.e. no osmotic effect).
Monosaccharides are reducing sugars with reducing end (i.e. free functional group) while
polysaccharides are non reducing sugars with no free functional group.
Monosaccharides have general formula (CH2O)n while polysaccharides have general

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formula (C6H10O5)n

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1A.5. Proteins

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Fibrous protein involves polypeptides arranged parallel to each other
thus being stable to changes in pH and temperature. They don’t curl up
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(i.e. polypeptide chains don’t curl up so no tertiary structure) but form


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long strands with many cross links (i.e. cross linked chains). Fibrous
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proteins are water insoluble with many repeating amino acid sequences.
They have structural function, being very though thus giving strength.
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Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 012


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

1A. 5. Proteins
(3)

Blood pressure in arteries is high. Where collagen is a fibrous Linked to 1B.3.


Circulation in
protein, having structural function, being tough thus giving strength, the blood
vessels
where collagen is found in artery walls, thus preventing over

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stretching of arteries under high pressure and therefore prevents

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rupture. Therefore, alteration in the structure of collagen or reduced

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collagen causes over stretching of arteries under high pressure thus

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causing it to rupture.
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6 January 2016 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1
1A.1. The chemistry of life
&
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Note that, triglycerides are non polar


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hydrophobic molecules that are insoluble in


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water, thus being conjugated to proteins


forming lipoproteins (including LDL and HDL)
formed into vesicles to be transported in the
blood.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 013


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

7 May 2016 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1


1A.4. Lipids

Fatty acid with hydrocarbon chain Monounsaturated with one carbon to carbon double bond

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Oleic acid is a mono unsaturated fatty acid with one carbon to carbon
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double bond in hydrocarbon chain.
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Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 016


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

Fatty acids have different numbers of carbon to carbon double bonds.


Where as the number of carbon to carbon double bonds increases, the
melting point decreases as hydrocarbon tails become more bent (i.e. with
more kinks) so they pack less closely together. So the intermolecular
forces are weaker and less energy is needed to overcome intermolecular

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forces and separate fatty acid chains.

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•Ester (COO-) bond


•Water molecule
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Condensation reaction
Esterification

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 017


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

Lactose is a disaccharide, which is composed of the two sugar units, a-glucose and galactose
while starch is a polysaccharide, which is composed of a-glucose monomers only. Lactose has a
free functional group (i.e. is a reducing sugar) while starch is not a reducing sugar with no free
functional group. Also, lactose has 1,4 glycosidic bond while starch has both 1,4
and 1,6 glycosidic bonds.

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ha
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As the mass of milk in diet increases, the relative risk of death increases
(i.e. positive correlation).
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Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 019


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

Glycogen is a polysaccharide, which is composed of a-glucose monomers that are


linked together by 1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds. Where it is compact, thus
allowing storage of large number of glucose in small space and also has a
branching structure causing glycogen to have many terminals (i.e. ends) for easy
attachment and removal of glucose for cellular respiration, thus releasing energy
as ATP for muscle contraction. In addition to that, glycogen is insoluble, thus
having no osmotic effect, so it has no effect on water potential of cells.

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Rapidly

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1A.4. Lipids
hydrolysed

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Ester bond
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 022


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

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Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon atoms while
unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds between carbon atoms. Saturated
&
fatty acids have straight hydrocarbon chain while the hydrocarbon chain of
unsaturated fatty acids has kinks (i.e. is bent). Also, the hydrogen to carbon
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ratio is higher is saturated fatty acids.


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Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 023


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

9 May 2017 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1


1A.2. Carbohydrates 1: mono & disaccharides

a-glucose and fructose

Sucrose is a disaccharide, formed by the condensation reaction between a-glucose


and fructose, that involves the removal of water molecule, causing the formation of
1-2 glycosidic bond between the two monosaccharides.

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1A.3. Carbohydrates 2
(4)
&
n
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Starch is a polysaccharide (polymer) whose subunits are a-glucose molecules linked


together by glycosidic bond. Where starch is made up of amylose and amylopectin,
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where amylose is a polysaccharide with a coiled, helical structure with a-glucose


molecules joined by 1-4 glycosidic bonds, whereas amylopectin is a polysaccharide
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with branching structure with glucose molecules linked by 1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic
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bonds. Amylopectin has many terminals for rapid condensation and hydrolysis, for
easy attachment and removal of glucose for cellular respiration in cells to release
energy in the form of ATP.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 025


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

Peptide bond
Water molecule

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Polypeptide
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1A.1. The chemistry of life
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(1)
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Water is dipolar, with slightly negative oxygen and slightly positive


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hydrogen. Therefore, it is a solvent, where polar molecules dissolve by


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forming hydrogen bonds with water such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and
glucose. Also, ions dissociate in water where S- oxygen is attracted to
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cation (+ve ion) and S+ hydrogen is attracted to anion (-ve ion).


Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 033


Formation of blood clot
•Upon a cut in a tissue, the contact between platelets and the cut tissue
(collagen fibers in skin) causes platelets to break open in large numbers
and release serotonin and thromboplastin.
•Serotonin causes the construction of blood vessels, narrowing
(constricting) blood vessels, thus cutting off blood flow to the damaged
area,thus preventing excessive loss of blood.
•Thromboplastin (enzyme that starts the blood clotting cascade of
reactions), however is a soluble protein (biologically inactive) that, in the
presence of calcium ions in the right concentration, catalyses the
conversion of large soluble protein prothrombin (biologically inactive) into
a soluble protein called thrombin enzyme (biologically active).
•Thrombin then catalyses the conversion of soluble globular plasma
protein, fibrinogen into the insoluble protein fibrin, which forms a mesh
(fibrous mesh) trapping blood cells and platelets to form a clot.
•Special proteins in the structure of platelets contract, making the clot
tighter and tougher to form a scab that protects the skin and the vessels
underneath as they heal, also preventing entry of bacteria.
•Note that, narrowed blood capillaries prevent excessive bleeding by
allowing less blood flow near skin surface so blood clots.
•Fibrinogen is a soluble, globular protein with hydrophilic R groups of
amino acids facing outside.
Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are specialized cells containing hemoglobin which carries oxygen from the
lungs to all body cells.
Hemoglobin
•Hemoglobin is a protein molecule which is made up of four subunits (four polypeptide chains) meaning
that it has a quaternary structure.
•Each polypeptide chain has a Heam group (containing Fe2+ and propherin ring) where an oxygen
molecule binds to each of the four heam groups.
•Hemoglobin plays a role in the transport of both oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Role of hemoglobin in the transport of oxygen
•Each hemoglobin molecule binds reversibly with four
oxygen molecules forming oxyhemoglobin.
•The oxygen remains bound to hemoglobin until the blood
reaches an area of low partial pressure of oxygen (i.e.
high PCO2).
•Note that, partial pressure is the pressure exerted by one
type of gas in a mixture of gases.
Role of hemoglobin in the transport of carbon dioxide
•Carbon dioxide binds to the -NH2 group (amino group) of hemoglobin
forming carbamino hemoglobin.
•Carbon dioxide remains bound till the blood reaches an area of low partial
pressure of carbon dioxide (i.e. high PO2)

Hemoglobin dissociation curve


•Dissociation curve reflects the way that oxygen molecules bind to hemoglobin and it aims to
show how hemoglobin behaves at different concentrations (i.e. partial pressures) of oxygen.
At low partial pressures of oxygen
(in respiring cells), the percentage
saturation of haemoglobin is very low
that is, the haemoglobin is combined
with only a very little oxygen.
At high partial pressures of oxygen
(in lungs), the percentage saturation
of haemoglobin is very high such that
it is combined with large amounts of
oxygen.
In lungs
There is high concentration of oxygen (i.e. high partial pressure of oxygen), while
the concentration of oxygen in red blood cells is relatively low, so oxygen diffuses
from the air in lungs, down the concentration gradient into red blood cells.
Hemoglobin has higher affinity for oxygen due to the high partial pressure of
oxygen, so oxygen is being loaded to hemoglobin.
So, the percentage saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen increases (forming
oxyhemoglobin).
The binding of oxygen to hemoglobin and the formation of oxyhemoglobin reduces
the percentage of free oxygen in the cytoplasm of red blood cells thus, maintaining
steep concentration gradient for more diffusion of oxygen into red blood cells.
In tissues (respiring cells)
The concentration of oxygen in body tissues is relatively low (i.e. low partial
pressure of oxygen) while in the cytoplasm of red blood cells is higher. Where at low
PO2, (i.e. high PCO2) hemoglobin has lower affinity to oxygen, so more
oxyhemoglobin dissociation, so oxygen diffuses into respiring cells down the
concentration gradient.
All in all, in lungs, hemoglobin picks up oxygen where the partial pressure of
oxygen is high (i.e. low PCO2), where hemoglobin will be 95-97% saturated with
oxygen. Whereas in respiring cells, hemoglobin releases oxygen, where the partial
pressure of oxygen is low (i.e. PCO2 is high), where hemoglobin will be about
20-25% saturated with oxygen.
This means that Hb coming from the lungs carries a lot of oxygen, as it reaches a muscle
(i.e. respiring tissue) it releases around three-quarters of it. This released oxygen diffuses
out of the red blood cell and into the muscle where it can be used in respiration.
So, PO2 decreases as blood flows through arteries and into veins.
As arteries take blood to cells, while veins take blood away from cells so O2 diffuse out
of capillaries into cells because there is a lower PO2 in cells and CO2 increase in blood
by diffusion down concentration gradient.
Why the hemoglobin dissociation curve is s-shaped? (Allosteric mechanism)
•Hemoglobin is a protein molecule that has a quaternary structure and is made up of
four subunits (four polypeptides) with four heam groups (i.e. prosthetic group, with
Fe2+ and porpherin ring) where an oxygen molecule binds to each of the Fe atoms until
the hemoglobin molecule becomes fully saturated with four oxygen molecules (i.e. eight
oxygen atoms).
•The binding of the first oxygen molecule is difficult where is binds to an iron atom in a
heam group.
•The whole hemoglobin molecule becomes slightly distorted as many molecules will be
broken down causing a conformational change in the structure of hemoglobin.
•The distortion makes it easier for other molecules to combine with heam groups the
hemoglobin affinity to oxygen increases.
•As the hemoglobin becomes more saturated, less oxygen can bind so the curve
flattens out. This is known as the allosteric mechanism.
Note that,
The same process happens in reverse when oxygen dissociates from haemoglobin
where it gets progressively harder to remove the oxygen.
Marking scheme points
•Hemoglobin is composed of four subunits
•The binding of the first oxygen molecule is difficult
•The binding of other molecules become easier
•Due to a confirmational change
•As Hb becomes more saturated, less oxygen can bind so the curve flattens out.
The Bohr effect
The CO2 causes the hemoglobin dissociation curve to shift, this is called the Bohr
effect.
The curve shifts right
This is because, when the concentration of CO2 in our blood increases (for example,
during exercise)
This lowers the pH of the blood
That in turn reduces the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen
And that is because hemoglobin changes shape (acidic medium)
Making it harder for oxygen molecules to bind
This increases the amount of oxygen being unloaded with hemoglobin (increasing the
dissociation of oxygen).
To be released for respiring tissues where it can be used in aerobic respiration.
Note that, due to the Bohr effect, at a particular partial pressure of oxygen, the
percentage saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen will be lower.
Organisms can be adapted to their environment by having different types of hemoglobin with different transport properties.
Hemoglobin is a protein molecule, which is composed of amino acids and when the sequence of amino acids changes, hemoglobin
can have a different structure.
This is because its primary structure changes resulting in it folding in a slightly different way. This results in it having a different
shape as well as different affinity for oxygen.
This is why in some organisms, the dissociation curve shifts left, while in others which are more active, the dissociation curve shifts
right.
When the curve is shifted to the left,
The hemoglobin affinity to oxygen is increased
This means that it loads oxygen (i.e. binds to oxygen) more readily at lower partial pressure of O2.
Example of organisms having such properties is those at higher altitude, underground or in fetal blood (i.e. in low oxygen
environment)
Fetal hemoglobin has higher affinity to oxygen than adult hemoglobin,
This is important because by the time the mother’s hemoglobin reaches the placenta, its oxygen saturation has decreased
which is because some has been used up by the mother’s body.
Therefore, fetal hemoglobin needs to be better at absorbing oxygen than the mother’s hemoglobin so that the fetus can
still get oxygen from its mother’s blood across the placenta.
Fetal hemoglobin
•Fetus depends on its mother to supply it with oxygen.
•If blood of fetus had same affinity for oxygen as the blood of mother, very little oxygen would be transferred.
•Therefore, fetal haemoglobin has higher affinity for oxygen than adult haemoglobin so, can remove oxygen from maternal
blood even at low PO2.
•In addition, maternal and fetal blood run in opposite directions thus maintaining a steep concentration gradient between
mother’s blood and that of fetus.
When the curve is shifted to the right,
This means that the hemoglobin affinity to oxygen is lowered. Therefore, at low pO2 the percentage saturation of hemoglobin
with oxygen is lower and this means that more oxygen has been unloaded to the tissues (i.e. more dissociation of oxygen).
This is present in organisms that need more oxygen in their tissues,
For example, those with high metabolic rate that are either small or active requiring more oxygen.
Carbon dioxide influences the percentage saturation of Hb with oxygen.
•Where in cells with high rate of aerobic respiration (i.e. active cells), where there is high demand of
oxygen, and high partial pressure of carbon dioxide. The affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen is reduced.
So, hemoglobin releases more oxygen much more easily (i.e more oxyhaemoglobin dissociation) than it
would be at lower concentration of carbon dioxide. So more oxygen is readily available for respiring
cells to meet increased energy demands (i.e. to provide sufficient oxygen for respiration).
•While in lung capillaries, where the carbon dioxide levels are relatively low (i.e. low PCO2), making it
easier for oxygen to bind to the hemoglobin (i.e. increasing the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen).
Role of carbon dioxide in unloading of oxygen from hemoglobin
•Carbon dioxide diffuses down steep concentration gradient from tissue into capillaries, where it is carried in
the blood in three ways, 5% of CO2 is carried as undissociated CO2 in plasma, 85% as hydrogen
carbonate ions in solution in plasma and 10% combined with -NH2 group of hemoglobin forming carbamino
hemoglobin.
•Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme which catalyses the reaction between carbon dioxide and water in the
cytoplasm of RBC, to form carbonic acid, which occurs very fast thus maintaining steep concentration
gradient for diffusion of carbon dioxide from tissues into the blood.
•Carbonic acid then dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and hydrogen carbonate ions (HCO3-).
Hydrogen carbonate ions
•HCO3 will diffuse out of red blood cells into plasma, where 80-90% of CO2 is transported as hydrogen
carbonate ions in the plasma. Where the reaction maintains the concentration gradient for carbon dioxide
between blood and respiring tissues. Where if carbon dioxide was transported as CO2 which is acidic, the pH
would decrease but HCO3 ions are alkaline thus acting as buffer.
Hydrogen ions
•Hemoglobin has higher affinity for hydrogen ions than oxygen, where hydrogen ions react with hemoglobin
forming hemoglobinic acid (HHb), i.e. hydrogen promotes the oxyhemoglobin dissociation by causing change
in the tertiary structure of oxyhemoglobin causing release of oxygen. Thus increasing the supply of oxygen to
respiring tissues.
(This is why higher PCO2, causes hemoglobin to release more oxygen -Bohr shift-).
Formation of carbamino hemoglobin
•Hemoglobin has higher affinity for carbon dioxide than oxygen, so in high PCO2, some carbon dioxide in
RBCs combine with terminal amino groups (-NH2) of some hemoglobin molecules, forming carbamino
hemoglobin, thus stimulating hemoglobin to release more oxygen in areas of low PO2, where 10% of CO2 is
transported thus way.
•Note that, as CO2 builds up, this affects pH and has an effect on protein structure, where hemoglobin has
lower affinity to oxygen.
•when blood reaches the lungs, the alveoli has low PCO2 and high PO2, so carbon dioxide
will diffuse out of the blood into the air in the alveoli.
•which stimulates the CO2 in the carbamino hemoglobin to leave the RBCs.
•and hydrogen carbonate and hydrogen ions to recombine forming carbon dioxide molecules
once more (where carbonic anhydrase catalyses the reverse reaction in lungs and hydrogen
ions act as buffer in plasma).
•this leaves hemoglobin molecules free to combine with oxygen and begin another circuit.

•Dissociation curve of C is shifted to the left in respect


to B dissociation curve.
•hemoglobin affinity in C is lowered.
•where at low PO2, the percentage saturation of
hemoglobin with oxygen is lower in C than in B.
•where C needs more oxygen for more respiration for
more activity and higher metabolic rate.
•in addition to large surface area to volume ratio, so
more heat loss, so more respiration to maintain
constant body temperature.
At high altitudes
The partial pressure of oxygen (i.e. PO2), is lower than in sea level, so less oxygen in
inhaled air, so lower partial pressure of oxygen in the alveoli (lungs), thus reducing
-decreasing- the steepness of the concentration gradient between alveoli and the blood, so
slower rate of diffusion of oxygen into the blood. Meaning that hemoglobin is less well
saturated with oxygen, so less formation of oxyhemoglobin (i.e. hemoglobin has lower
affinity to oxygen).
Therefore, less oxygen will be transported in the blood, so less oxygen is available for
aerobic respiration, so less aerobic respiration which results in altitude sickness and
hypoxia.
Solution
•They produce more RBCs, to compensate for the smaller volume of oxygen absorbed
(lower saturation of hemoglobin).
•Increase in breathing rate and heart rate.
•In addition to increase in capillary density and number of mitochondria so tissues can
sufficient oxygen.
•Note that, as a result of the low PO2 at high altitudes, the hemoglobin affinity for oxygen
is reduced, so lower percentage saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen at high altitudes
than at sea level.
•hypoxia occurs when person ascends from sea level to a high altitude, where body tissues
don’t receive an adequate supply of oxygen.
•plus, person has insufficient RBCs to compensate for the reduced affinity of HB for O2.
Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

Aorta has semilunar valves thus preventing the back flow of blood into the heart during ventricular diastole.
In addition, it is branching to supply blood to different parts of the body.
Aorta is an artery with narrow lumen, to maintain blood flow under high pressure. Also, it has tunica intima
(endothelium) which is composed of thin, flat squamous epithelial cells with smooth surface facing lumen to smooth out
the flow of blood allowing easy blood flow with minimum possible frictional resistance to blood flow, endothelial layer is
folded, to prevent damage to the endothelial lining when diameter of aorta increases. Thick tunica media which is
composed of smooth muscles, collage and elastic tissue. Where smooth muscles contract and relax changing the
volume of blood delivered by changing diameter of artery, collagen provides strength to withstand high blood pressure
thus preventing rapture, while elastic fibers stretch and recoil to accommodate increased blood pressure as well as
maintain blood pressure and rapid blood flow. Thick tunica externa (i.e. thick walls) containing collagen and elastic

r
fibers to provide strength and flexibility to artery.

ab
lG
Veins have semilunar valves while capillaries have no valves.

ha
Ni
Veins have walls containing smooth muscles and elastic tissue while capillaries have walls that
are one cell thick.
&
n

1B. 5. Atherosclerosis:
(5)
wa
ag

Coronary artery supplies the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients,
.N

where the region of dead heart muscle will be downstream of the


atheroma (i.e. in region normally supplied by blocked artery). This is
Dr

because the region of cardiac muscle supplied by the blocked artery


becomes deprived of oxygen and nutrients, so no aerobic respiration
and therefore die due to lack of energy. So, the closer the atheroma is to
the end of artery the smaller the area of dead heart muscle and vise
versa.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 062


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

1B. 4. The mammalian heart


(2)

Atrioventricular valves do not shut properly, which results in back flow of


blood from ventricles to the atria during ventricular systole. Resulting in

r
lower blood pressure so less efficient supply of oxygen to body cells.

ab
lG
ha
3 May 2014
Ni
Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1
1B.4. The mammalian heart
&
n
wa
ag
.N

Atria systole

Ventricular systole
Dr

(Atrial and ventricular) Diastole

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 066


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

75

1B.3.Circulation in the blood vessels


(2)

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
&
Pressure
in ventricles
increases
n
wa

to higher than
pressure in
atria.
ag
.N

Atrial Diastole
Dr

systole Ventricular systole

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 067


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

16KPa

The pressure in ventricles increases to higher than pressure in atrium.

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
&
The semilunar valves open to allow blood to flow from the left ventricle
to the aorta to be transported to all the body. Therefore, the pressure in
n
wa

aorta increased as blood surges into it under high pressure during


ventricular systole.
ag
.N
Dr

Aorta walls have elastic fibers that stretch and recoil. Also, semilunar
valves close.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 068


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

r
1B.5. Atherosclerosis

ab
(4)

lG
ha
Ni
&
1B.1. The principle of circulation
(8)
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 077


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
&
n

Peak flow rate is greater in men than in women, the peak flow rate is greatest in
wa

men at the age of 35-38 and women at the age of 30-32.


On average, men have larger lungs than women.
ag
.N
Dr

Graph will have similar shape and will be higher than that for women of 175cm.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 078


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

1B.2. The role of the blood


(5)

r
ab
lG
Upon a cut in a tissue, the contact between platelets and collagen fibers causes platelets to

ha
break open in large numbers and release serotonin and thromboplastin. Thromboplastin is an
enzyme that starts the clotting cascade of reactions where in the presence of calcium ions in
Ni
the right concentration cause the conversion of prothrombin into thrombin, which in turn
catalyses the conversion of the soluble, globular protein, fibrinogen into fibrin, which forms
&
fibrous mesh, trapping blood cells and platelets to form a clot.
n

The blood clots formed in veins is carried through the pulmonary artery to pulmonary
wa

capillaries in lungs, where it blocks the flow of blood, so reduced blood flow in lungs, so
reduced gas exchange. Reduced uptake of oxygen accompanied by usage of oxygen by
ag

respiring cells causes reduction in the concentration of oxygen in patients with VTE.
.N
Dr

Changes in breathing rate or oxygen concentration may be due to another cause. As


well as fibrin fragments can be found in both VTE and non-VTE patients.
Therefore, using three criteria increases diagnostic accuracy.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 089


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
&
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 095


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

1B.2. The role of the blood

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
&

1B.2. The role of the blood


n

(8) c-
wa
ag

Fibrinogen is a soluble globular protein, which is converted into insoluble,


.N

fibrous protein, fibrin. Where peptide bonds between amino acids are
Dr

broken down by protease enzyme by condensation reaction. Fibrin sticks


together, forming fibrous mesh, trapping blood cells and platelets to form
a clot.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 097


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

The amino acid does not affect the overall folding and coiling of
polypeptide chain and therefore have no effect on tertiary
Linked to 1A.5.
Proteins
structure.
The shape of the active site may not be changed (i.e. have no effect on the
shape of active site).

17 October 2019 Code: WBI11/01 Paper1

r
1B.2. The role of the blood

ab
lG
ha
Ni
&
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 117


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
&
n
wa
ag

Linked to
The pressure of blood flowing through the artery will be low, so less 2A.6. The
.N

oxygenated blood (i.e. oxygen rich blood) will be delivered to body cells, mammalian
gas exchange
so insufficient oxygen delivered to cells, so less aerobic respiration,
Dr

system
which leads to breathlessness and lack of energy.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 119


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

r
ab
The events of the cardiac cycle becomes shorter and more frequent, as

lG
well as ventricles contract more forcefully during ventricular systole.

ha
Ni
1B.2. The role of the blood
&
n

Linked to
wa

2.A.6.The
mammalia
ag

n gas
exchange
system
.N
Dr

The pressure exerted by one type of gas in a mixture of gases.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 123


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

Four subunits
Hemoglobin is a globular protein, having quaternary structure with four polypeptides, where each
polypeptide has a heam group (i.e. prosthetic group which is made up of Fe2+ and porpherin ring)
where each heam group binds to one oxygen molecule, so four heam groups bind to four oxygen
molecules. The binding of first oxygen molecule is difficult and causes conformational change
which increases the affinity of hemoglobin to oxygen, so the binding of the second, third and
fourth oxygen molecules become easier, the graph levels off as hemoglobin becomes saturated
with oxygen.

r
ab
lG
1B.3. Circulation in the blood vessels
(7)b-

ha
Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart under relatively high blood pressure whereas veins carry
Ni
blood to the heart under lower pressure. The pressure of blood drops in capillaries, due to their narrow
lumen as well as due to the exchange of substances that takes place between capillaries and respiring
&
cells, where at low PO2 in respiring cells, oxygen diffuses down its concentration gradient from the blood
to body cells and carbon dioxide diffuses into blood.
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 124


Metadata analysis
When data from all available studies are analyzed.
To give more reliable evidence.

•data quotes/data manipulation

When describing graphs (non-linear; i.e. no continuous increase or


decrease) or inconsistent.
Studies can be improved by
•Larger sample size
•Increased study time
•Use of controlled variables or control group.
Limitations of study include
•Small sample size
•Study carried in one country
•Followed only for x years
•Only one gender
•No information about other variables
•No control group
Important
1. Draw and plot error
bars.
2. Size of bar, the
longer the bar, the
more spread out data
is from the mean, so
the less reliable they
are and vise versa.
3. If error bars are
overlapping, then no
significant difference.
4 Water is the solvent for the transport of sodium chloride and glucose in the blood.
(a) The graph shows the effect of temperature on the solubility of sodium chloride

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA


and glucose in water.

400

300 glucose

Exponential
Solubility 200
/ g per 100 cm3 water

100

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA


Linear increase
sodium chloride

0
0 20 40 60
Temperature / °C

(i) Compare and contrast the effect of temperature on the solubilities of sodium
chloride and glucose in water.
(3)

Both show positive correlation, where as temperature increases, the solubility of


. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

sodium chloride and glucose in water increases.


. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Yet, the initial solubility at 10C of both glucose and sodium were different as the
solubility of glucose was 75g per 100 cm3 while the solubility of sodium
. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA

chloride was about 45g per 100 cm3.


. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Also, the rate of increase in solubility of glucose was higher than that of sodium
. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

chloride as the solubility of glucose increases by almost 225g per 100 cm3
. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

while the solubility of sodium chloride increased by only almost 10g per 100
. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

cm3 with same increase in temperature.


. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lastly, the increase in solubility if glucose was non-linear as the rate of increase
was low then increase gradually.
. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10
*P60516RA01028*
Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

(1C) Cardiovascular health and risk


1 January 2013 Code: 6BI01/01 Paper 1
1C.3. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Glucose is needed for


respiration, to provide energy
for the contraction of the
heart muscle.
Also, to maintain osmotic
effect.

r
ab
Fastest heart rate

lG
Heart rate is above base rate

ha
Ni
&
n
wa
ag

0.1
.N
Dr

Vitamin C is important for the formation of connective tissue in the body such as bones and,
teeth, skin and endothelial lining of blood vessels.
•So lack of vitamin C, increases the risk of damage of endothelial lining of arteries
•So arteries are more likely to be damaged
•So atherosclerosis more likely to develop
•So person is more likely to be affected by CVDs.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 126


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

Glucose is needed for aerobic respiration to provide energy for the contraction of the heart muscle.
Also, to maintain the osmotic pressure for no net movement of water between muscle cells and the
solution.

Validity is about controlled variables


Solutions were of same volume, also the concentration of glucose in all the solutions are the same.

r
ab
lG
By repeating the experiment in all concentrations of caffeine.

ha
As the concentration of caffeine was increased from 0 to 0.1, the heart rate increased by 20%. As the
Ni
concentration of caffeine was increased above 0.1, the heart rate decreases. •0.1mg/cm3 causes
fastest heart rate.
&
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Unethical to kill chicken embryos.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 127


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
Causes of decrease in risk factor
&
•Improvements in education (increased public awareness/knowledge/literacy)
•Improvements in healthcare (diagnosis, medication and treatment ex. statins)
n
wa

•Improvements in lifestyle (more exercise/improved diet/quitting smoking)


ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 130


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

2 January 2014 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1


In addition to 1C.4. Diet and cardiovascular health
increase in blood
cholesterol level, so
more accumulation of
cholesterol on the
walls of arteries.
•Creates an energy imbalance, where the energy intake (i.e. fat intake) is greater than energy output
(i.e. fat burned).
•Which results in gain in weight that might lead to obesity. Where obesity is precursor to CVDs.
•Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

r
•Also, it leads to increase in blood pressure, where high blood pressure causes damage to the

ab
endothelial cells lining walls of artery, which stimulates an inflammatory response, where WBCs

lG
accumulate at the site of damage.
•Causing the buildup of cholesterol on the lining of arteries resulting in the formation of atheroma.

ha
•Calcium salts and fibrous tissue build up around the atheroma, turning it into hardened plaque.
•Plaque causes narrowing of arterial lumen as well as loss of elasticity of arteries which causes
Ni
increase in blood pressure, that causes further damage resulting in atherosclerosis that leads to CVDs.
•That in turn results in heart diseases, stroke, heart attack (myocardial infarction) etc.
&

1C. 2. Investigating the causes of CVDs


n

(5)
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 131


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health
Note that, three risk factors are needed to
improve diagnostic accuracy.

The higher the number of risk factors, the higher the relative risk of developing
CVD. Also, as the number of risks increases from 2 to 3 the relative risk of
CVD doubles.

1C. 4. Diet and cardiovascular health

r
(5) b-

ab
lG
Reduce salt intake •Statins
Reduce alcohol consumption (no alcohol) •Plant stanols
Increase Vitamin C consumption
ha •Less energy intake
Ni
1C. 7. The treatment & risks of treatment
(5)
&
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Loss of excess salts and fluid in urine due to decreasing water reabsorption in
kidneys, thus reducing the volume of the blood which in turn causes reduction in
blood pressure which reduces the risk of atherosclerosis accompanied by a
reduction in the risk of CVDs.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 132


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

3 May 2014 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1


1C.2.Investigation of the cause of CVDs

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
Important
&
n
wa

As different countries have different populations, so to allow standardization


as well as valid comparison.
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 133


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

r
ab
lG
People are more aware about the risk factors of CVDs in Spain than in countries with higher death rate like

ha
Ukraine. As well as there is better health care, diagnosis and medications (such as diuretics and statins) in
countries with lower death rate. In general, the lower the death rate due to CVDs the better people’s lifestyle
Ni
(ex. Less or no smoking/ less energy intake/ less saturated fat intake).
1C.3. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease
&
n
wa
ag
.N

Less consistent
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 134


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

High blood pressure, causes damage to the endothelial lining of blood vessels,
which stimulates an inflammatory response, where WBCs accumulate at the
site of damage and cause building up of chemicals in blood as cholesterol.
Calcium salts and fibrous tissue build up around the atheroma turning it into
hardened plaque. Thus narrowing the diameter of the arterial lumen as well as
causing loss of elasticity of lumen, which leads to atherosclerosis that in turn

r
causes further damage and can lead to heart diseases, angina, heart attack

ab
(myocardial infarction). Reduced blood supply to cells

lG
1C.7. The benefit & risk of treatment
(4)

ha
Ni
&
n
wa

1C.3. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease


ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 140


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

r
ab
lG
ha
1C.1. Risk, correlation & cause
(7) Important Ni
•Using more students (larger sample size)
&

•Repeating the investigation on each student.


n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 141


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

1C.7. The benefits & risks of treatment

Statins inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver, which reduces the
ratio of LDL to HDL, that in turn reduces blood cholesterol level, which
lowers the risk of formation of atheroma, so no plaque formed so tissues
are not deprived of oxygen and nutrients (i.e. no reduced blood flow),

r
thus reducing the risk of CVDs.

ab
(3)

lG
ha
Ni
&
n
wa

1C.5. Dietary antioxidant & cardiovascular disease


ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 144


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
&
n
wa
ag
.N

Boiling increases membrane permeability to vitamin C, as


Dr

Linked to 1C.1.
upon increase in temperature, transport proteins within the Risk,
correlation &
membrane will denature. This results in the movement of cause

vitamin C through cell membrane by diffusion down its


concentration gradient, thus lowering the vitamin C content
in broccoli.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 146


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

1C.1 Risk, correlation & cause & 1C.4. Diet & cardiovascular health

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
&
n
wa
ag
.N

Important
Dr

Probability of an event taking place in one group compared to another.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 147


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
&
n
wa
ag

•Include females
•People should be of same age
.N

Linked to 1C.1.
•Larger sample size Risk, correlation
Dr

& cause
•Allow recovery time
•Increased study time

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 150


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

8 January 2017 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1


1C.3. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease
(2)

Atherosclerosis can result in formation of atheroma/plaque in coronary arteries


(supplying the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients), thus narrowing coronary
arteries so reducing blood flow to the heart muscle, which deprives the heart muscle

r
of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in CHD.

ab
•Formation of clot/thickening of artery wall.

lG
ha
Ni
1C.7. The benefits & risks of treatment
(2)
&
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 151


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

9 May 2017 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1


1C.6. Using the evidence
(3)

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
&
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 153


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

Important

•Lower blood pressure


•Lower blood cholesterol level (lower LDL to HDL ratio)
•Lower BMI (less body fat)
•Cardiac/heart muscle is stronger (training increases the strength of heart
muscle).
•Low heart rate.

r
ab
lG
1C.4. Diet and cardiovascular health
(4)

ha
Ni
&
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 154


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

1C.4. Diet & cardiovascular health


(5) b-

BMI might not be a reliable indicator for the risk of CVD in people with high muscle mass such
as athletes as it cannot differentiate between muscles and fat.
Could lead to older people who have lost most of their muscle mass to underestimate the risk
of CVD.
Lack of education about the fact that high BMI is a risk factor for CVD.

r
ab
Also, people having high BMI don’t show symptoms of CVD.

lG
12 October 2018 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1
1C.7. The benefits & risks of treatment

ha
(2)
Ni
&
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 164


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

13 January 2019 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1


1C.7. The benefits & risks of treatment
(3)

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
&
n
wa
ag

Antihypertensives (including diuretics, beta blockers, sympathetic nerve


.N

inhibitors-ACE inhibitors)/statins.
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 169


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

1C.7. The benefits & risks of treatment


(2)

Thrombin is an active enzyme, that catalyses the conversion of the soluble,


globular protein fibrinogen into the insoluble, fibrous protein fibrin. Where
anticoagulant, prevents binding of thrombin to fibrinogen, so no enzyme substrate

r
ab
complex, so no fibrin formed, so no mesh is formed so blood does not clot.

lG
ha
Ni
&
n
wa
ag
.N

•Platelets become less sticky, and so won’t be able to bind to each other or to
Dr

fibrin.
•So no mesh/clot would be formed.
•Also, thromboplastin would not be released so the blood clotting cascade of
reactions is not stimulated.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 172


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

Linked to 1B.2.
Fibrin, is an insoluble fibrous protein that forms fibrous mesh, The role of the
blood
trapping blood cells and platelets to form a clot. Where plasmin,
cause the hydrolyses of fibrin, thus breaking down peptide bond
between amino acids in fibrin. So no mesh formed, so blood does
not clot.

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ab
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1C.5. Dietary antioxidant & cardiovascular disease

ha
Ni
Dietary antioxidants, donate electrons, reducing free radicals (toxins) thus
&

preventing the oxidation of other molecules, and therefore reducing the risk
n

of damage of endothelial lining, reducing plaque/atheroma formation, which


wa

in turn reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and CVDs.


ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 173


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

1C.3.Risk factors of CVD


2.

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&
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wa
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The 10 Year CHD Risk would increase, as smoking is a risk factor that
contribute to CVD. Where it contains nicotine that raises blood pressure and
.N

causes formation of atheroma/ plaque on the arterial lining as a result of


Dr

inflammatory response, which leads to atherosclerosis and increases the


risk of other CVDs.
Increase in heart rate thus making the heart work harder.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 176


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

BMI/ obesity/ waist to hip ratio

As BMI increases the value for the 10 year CHD risk increases.

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ab
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If someone has high BMI yet does not smoke, this might lead to them
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underestimating the risk of high BMI on CVD as the value obtained for the
&

10 year CHD risk will be lower.


n

Also, might lead to person underestimating how much they smoke.


wa

In addition, the blood cholesterol level and blood pressure might be an


ag

estimate.

Other risk factors not included.


.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 177


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

1C.3. Risk factors for CVD


(5) C-

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•Energy imbalance leads to obesity
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•High LDL levels leads to damage to the endothelial lining of arteries


•Inflammatory response
n
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•Leads to formation of atheroma/plaque causing atherosclerosis


•Leads to loss of elasticity + narrowing of lumen of artery
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•Reduced blood flow to heart


.N

•Causing reduced amount of oxygen to reach the heart/ tissues.


Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 180


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health
Important
18 January 2020 Code: WBI11/01 Paper1
1C.4. Diet and cardiovascular health

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High salt intake increases the hazard ratio for all causes of death.
n
wa

High salt intake has greatest effect on CAD where it caused the most increase in
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hazard ratio.
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 183


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

1C.3. Risk factors of CVD


(6)

•Both age and smoking increase the hazard ratio.


•As smoking increases heart rate and blood pressure, as well as with increasing age
arteries lose part of their elasticity.
•Therefore, study would not be valid without controlling both factors.

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&

Blood pressure
n

BMI
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Blood cholesterol levels/LDL to HDL ratio


Exercise levels
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Obesity
.N

Gender
Type 2 diabetes
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 184


Biology Topic 1: Molecules, transport and health

1C.4. Diet and cardiovascular health


(6)

To allow valid comparison between the effect of high salt intake and low salt intake
on the hazard ratio for different causes of death.

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ab
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The tendency of two sets of data to increase together, where an increase in one
variable is accompanied by an increase in another variable.
Ni
&

•Difficult/impossible to control all variables/risk factors.


n
wa

•No clear definition of low/high salt intake.


ag
.N
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How blood clots form in a blood vessel.


•Collagen is exposed when walls of blood vessel is damaged
•Contact between collagen and platelets cause the activation of platelets where they
break down in large numbers releasing serotonin and thromboplastin.
•Thromboplastin catalyzes the conversion of prothrombin into thrombin.
•Thrombin then catalyses the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin.
•Fibrin forms a mesh trapping blood cells and platelets forming a clot.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 185


Building a model of cell membrane (showing how technical developments
overtime lead to better/enabled better scientific understanding)
•Lipid soluble substances could diffuse through cell membrane more easily
than other substances, indicating that large part of the membrane structure
must be lipid.
•When punctured with a needle, the cell membrane sealed again showing that
cell membrane is fluid.
•A device was developed to collect monolayers.
•The total size of monolayer film formed by lipids extracted from human
RBCs was measured.
•Scientists estimated the total surface area of a red blood cell.
•Where it was found that their measured area of monolayer was about twice
the estimated surface area of cell, so they reached the conclusion that cell
membrane is a lipid bilayer.
•Yet, the results were wrong in two ways, where the devise used did not extract
all the lipid molecules (so measured area of monolayer was lower than actual)
in addition to that, they miscalculated the surface area of human red blood cell
as they thought cell was flat rather than biconcave (so the estimated surface
area of RBC was lower than actual).
•Yet, the conclusion was correct as the two errors cancelled each other.
•Modern techniques using X-rays and electron microscopy methods showed
more details of lipid bilayer (i.e. showing fluid mosaic model of cell membrane).
Active transport
•An active process that requires energy from the hydrolysis of ATP, where energy is needed for
change in shape of carrier protein.
•It is the movement of polar molecules or ions through carrier proteins in cell membrane, due to the
hydrophilic amino acids lining channels.
•Where these polar molecules or ions have complimentary shape to the binding site of protein
carriers in cell membrane, so they fit and bind with these carriers causing conformational change
in the shape of carrier proteins using ATP allowing specific polar molecule or ion to pass against
their concentration gradient.
•Protein carriers can then return passively to their original shape to allow more molecules or ions
to enter the cell.
Evidence of active transport
•Occurs in living cells only.
•Cells have high numbers of mitochondria.
•Respiratory poison stops it.
Factors affecting active transport
•Oxygen and glucose concentration
•Number of protein carriers
•Number of mitochondria
•Presence of respiratory poisons
Note that, ATPase is an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of ATP into ADP and phosphate,
releasing energy to move carrier systems and drive metabolic reactions.
Canine is a metabolic poison that stops mitochondria working.
Differences between active transport and facilitated diffusion
•Active transport requires energy from ATP, whereas facilitated diffusion doesn’t require energy
(i.e. it is a passive process that depends on kinetic energy of molecules).
•Active transport involves the movement of polar molecules and ions against their concentration
gradient, while in facilitated diffusion molecules move down their concentration gradient.
•Active transport uses only carrier proteins, while facilitated diffusion uses both carrier proteins
and channels (pores).
•Active transport involves co-transport while facilitated diffusion does not involve co-transport.
Compare and contrast diffusion and active transport marking scheme answer:
Similarities
•both move molecules through the {phospholipid bilayer / cell surface membrane}
•(in both) molecules can move through proteins
Differences
•diffusion occurs down a concentration gradient whereas active transport occurs
against a concentration gradient
•diffusion is {passive / does not require ATP} whereas active transport requires
ATP
Bulk transport
Involves the transport of large molecules such as proteins, polysaccharides, parts of cells or even
whole cells where this requires energy and is a form of active transport.
Endocytosis and exocytosis
Endocytosis
•involves engulfing of material by cell surface membrane to form a sac or endocytotic vacuole,
using energy from ATP.
•involves substances entering the cell.
•involves the formation of vesicles from the cell surface membrane.
Exocytosis
•Process by which materials are removed from cell (involves substances leaving the cell).
•Involves fusion of vesicle with cell surface membrane.
Both endocytosis and exocytosis involves vesicles and involves the use of energy from ATP.
Compare and contrast endocytosis and exocytosis marking scheme answer:
•they both involve formation of a vesicle
•both require ATP (are active processes)
•endocytosis takes substances into the cell and exocytosis removes substances from the cell.
Gas exchange in small organisms
+they have low metabolic rate (i.e. low energy demand).
Single celled organisms and very small multicellular organisms have a large surface area to volume ratio.
This means they can get oxygen they need for cellular respiration from air or water they live in through their outer body
surface by diffusion, which would be sufficient to supply their needs. Note that the surfaces of small organisms are
Gas exchange in large organisms permeable to gases allowing diffusion of gases

Why is circulatory system required in gas exchange? through membrane.

As diffusion of gases over surface is not enough


So, larger organisms need to have a mass transport system/circulatory system
Heart
To generate pressure, ensuring mass flow (which is the transport of substances from high pressure to low pressure over a
long distance). Thus overcoming limitation of diffusion, where they have small surface area to volume ratio, so longer
distances for nutrients to reach cells, and they have high metabolic rate therefore, diffusion alone would be too slow and
insufficient.
System of branching vessels
That carry substances, following a very specific route to required body parts.
Capillaries which ensure large surface area for gas exchange, thin wall for shorter diffusion distance.
Suitable transport medium (blood)
In which oxygen , nutrients, as well as waste products dissolve.
Fick’s law of diffusion
Rate of diffusion=
(surface area x concentration gradient)/thickness of exchange membrane or barriers (exchange surface)
Properties of gas exchange surfaces/factors affecting rate of diffusion of gases across a membrane,
•The surface area where the larger the surface area , the more particles can be exchanged at the same time.
•The concentration gradient of particles diffusing, by maintaining the concentration gradient (ex by transporting substances
away once they have diffused by continuous blood flow, ventilation).
•The thickness of the exchange surfaces, where the shorter the diffusion distance , the faster the diffusion can take place.
The mammalian gas exchange system
Features of effective gas exchange system
•A large surface area to compensate for the relatively small surface area to volume ratio of the whole organism.
•Thin layers to minimize the diffusion distance from one side to another.
•Continuous blood flow/supply to the respiratory surfaces as in animals, maintaining steep concentration gradient.
•Moist surface because diffusion takes place with the gases in solution.
•Permeable surfaces that allow free passage of the respiratory gases.
How the structure of human lungs is adapted for efficient gas exchange?
•Many alveoli, so large surface area.
•Covered by extensive network of capillaries, which ensures large surface area for gas exchange.
•Thin capillary walls as well as alveolar walls as their walls are made from single layer of flattened cells so, shorter diffusion
distance, allowing faster diffusion.
•Maintaining steep concentration gradient by ventilation and continuous blood flow.
Human gas exchange system
Nasal passage
•Warm, clean and add moisture to the air.
Pharynx
•Common pathway for food and air (epiglottis closes trachea during swallowing which is an involuntary
reflex action).
Epiglottis
•Stops food getting into lungs when swallowing.
Larynx (vocal box)
•Contains the vocal cords, uses flow of air across it to produce sounds.
Trachea
•Tube with incomplete rings of cartilage, which keeps it open and prevents it from collapse and allow
continuous flow of air into lungs. Trachea carries air to lungs, lined with goblet cells making mucus, and
cells with cilia (ciliated epithelial cells) which move mucus away from the lungs.
Note that, the incomplete rings of cartilage allows the food to be swallowed and moved down oesophagus.
Left and right bronchi
•These tubes lead to the lungs and are similar in structure to trachea but narrower. They divide to from
bronchioles. +with complete rings of cartilage
Bronchioles
•Small tubes that spread through the lungs and end in alveoli. Their main function is still as an airway, but
some gas exchange can take place.
Pleural membrane
•Surround the lungs and line the chest cavity forming a sterile sealed unit.
Pleural cavity
•Space between the pleural membranes, usually filled with a thin layer of lubricating fluid that allows the
membrane to slide easily with breathing movements.
Alveoli
•Site of gas exchange (thin walled, large surface area, moist, rich in blood supply and well ventilated)
Diaphragm
•A muscle sheet separating the chest cavity (thorax) from the abdominal cavity.
It is dome shaped, with a fibrous middle part forming the roof of the dome, and muscular edges forming
walls. It is flat in the contracting state.
Internal intercostal muscles
•Pulls ribs down and in during exhalation
External intercostal muscles Contracts during inspiration as it is an active process.
•Pulls ribs up and out during inhalation
Cartilage
Found in trachea and bronchi.
Function
•Give support to the walls of the trachea and bronchi.
•Prevents them from collapse as during inhalation the pressure inside the airways falls and the cartilage stop
them collapsing
•Keep air way open and air resistance low.
In trachea, it is C-shaped rings.
In bronchi and large bronchioles, irregular blocks of cartilage.
Goblet cells
Found in trachea and bronchi seen in the ciliated epithelium lining.
Mucus is contained in secretory vesicles and released by exocytosis.
Function
•Secrete mucus on surface of ciliated epithelium, which is sticky to trap particles of dust, pollen and bacteria.
•So pathogens don’t reach the cells lining the trachea/bronchi/alveoli, thus reducing chance of infection.
In case of infection, there is an increase in secretions of mucus.
Ciliated epithelium
Found in trachea and bronchi and in larger bronchioles.
Function
•Cilia beats back and forth
•Waft (move) mucus that has trapped dust and bacteria towards back of the throat, where mucus will be
swallowed, so any present bacteria will be destroyed by stomach acid.
•Thus allowing normal air flow while keeping air ways clean, preventing bacteria from entering lungs.
•So reducing risk of infection.
How gases are exchanged in the lungs (alveolus)
Gas exchange takes place between alveoli and blood in blood capillaries, where alveolar air
has a higher concentration of oxygen and a lower concentration of carbon dioxide than
High PO2 and low PCO2
blood in capillaries.
Oxygen therefore, diffuse from the air in the alveoli, across the walls of the alveolus and
capillary and enters the blood .
Carbon dioxide diffuses in the opposite direction.
Where the diffusion gradients are maintained by,
•Continuous blood flow past the alveolus, which brings deoxygenated blood from the
pulmonary artery and takes away the oxygenated blood through the pulmonary vein
(circulating blood supply).
•Ventilation of the lungs, which replace alveolar air with air from outside the body (removal
of carbon dioxide and replenishment of oxygen).
How alveoli are adapted for gaseous exchange
1. Thin alveolar wall (squamous epithelium)
Providing short distance of diffusion of gases (gas exchange) between air in alveolus and blood in
capillary which speed up the rate of diffusion of gases.
2. Many alveoli
Providing larger surface area for diffusion (gas exchange), where larger number of molecules (carbon
dioxide and oxygen) can diffuse at the same time.
3. Surrounded by many capillaries (extensive capillary network)
•Capillaries are very close to the alveoli, in other words very little distance between alveolar epithelium
and capillary endothelium for faster rate of diffusion.
•The walls of the capillary (endothelium) is one cell thick for short distance of diffusion as well.
•The continuous flow of blood in blood capillaries maintain steep concentration gradient.
•Form a large network which increase surface area to slow down the rate of flow of blood in capillaries,
for more efficient gas exchange.
4. Surfactant secreting cells
These are special, large rounded cells between squamous epithelial cells in the alveolar walls, secreting
pulmonary surfactant (complex of phospholipids and proteins)
•Which reduces surface tension inside the alveoli, keeping the alveolar walls from collapsing as they
deflate during exhalation.
•Help dissolve oxygen to diffuse into blood.
Why air reaching lungs doesn’t cause infection.
•Sticky mucus produced by goblet cells and mucous glands traps dust and bacteria thus prevent bacteria
from causing infections of gas exchange and prevent them from reaching blood (mucus acting as a
barrier).
•Cilia on ciliated epithelial cells beats back and forth moving mucus carrying dust and bacteria out of
lungs.
•Macrophage that protect lung by preventing the pathogen entering the blood , by engulfing inhaled
particles and bacteria and digesting them by phagocytosis.
Breathing (ventilation) is an active process
Inhalation (inspiration)
•Inhalation is an active process, where external intercostal muscles contract, moving the
ribcage up and out.
•Diaphragm contracts moving down (flattened).
•Volume of the thoracic cavity increases.
•Pressure of air in lungs decreases, with higher pressure of air outside the lungs. So, air is
forced into the lungs.
Exhalation (expiration)
•Normal exhalation is a passive process, where external intercostal muscles relax, ribcage falls
down under gravity.
•In forced exhalation, where internal intercostal muscles contract and pull the ribcage down
and in.
•Diaphragm relaxes moving up (dome shaped).
•Volume of the thoracic cavity decreases.
•Internal pressure in lungs increases, so air is forced out of the lungs.
Note that, exhalation is helped by the fact that the lungs are elastic, so they tend to empty like a
balloon.
Role of respiratory system in gas exchange
•Ventilation involves removal of carbon dioxide and bringing of oxygen, thus maintaining steep
concentration gradient.
•Alveoli which has the adaptations including, large surface area, surfactant, thin wall, rich in blood
capillaries.
•This allows overcoming the limitation of diffusion (small surface area to volume ratio, long diffusion
distance, high metabolism and concentration gradient)
How concentration gradient maintained through gas exchange surface in human lungs
Ventilation
•Removing carbon dioxide and replenishing oxygen
Blood flow in capillaries (i.e. continuous blood flow)
•Removing oxygenated blood (oxygen) away from alveoli and bringing carbon dioxide to the
alveoli.
Breathing (ventilation)
•The process in which physical movement of the chest changes the pressure so that air is moved in
or out aided by diaphragm and intercostal muscles
Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

(2A) Membranes and transport


1 January 2013 Code: 6BI01/01 Paper 1
2A.1 Cell membranes

The cell membrane is extremely thin, about 7nm thick. It is composed of a


phospholipid bilayer with polar head and non polar tail. The hydrophilic phosphate
heads lie facing watery solutions on the inside and outside of cell membrane (i.e.

r
cytoplasm/cytosol and tissue fluid, whereas the hydrophobic tails are repelled

ab
away from water forming hydrophobic core that is impermeable to hydrophilic

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substances. There are protein molecules embedded within the phospholipid bilayer
(intrinsic/integral proteins) including transport proteins (carrier/pores and

ha
channel proteins), as well as there are glycoproteins, cholesterol and glycolipids.
Ni Marking scheme points
2A.3. Osmosis •Phospholipid bilayer
&
•Description of phospholipids
(eg: phospholipids are fluid).
n

•Proteins
wa

•Transmembrane proteins
(intrinsic/integral proteins)
•Glycoproteins, glycolipids and
ag

cholesterol.
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 187


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

Phospholipid bilayer form the basic structure of cell membrane. Where phospholipids are
composed of hydrophilic (polar) phosphate heads that lie facing aqueous solutions on the
outside of the membrane (cytoplasm and tissue fluid) while hydrophobic (non polar) fatty
acid tails are repelled away form water and aggregate together forming hydrophobic core,
that is impermeable to hydrophilic substances. Phospholipids are fluid, where they can
diffuse within their monolayer, giving the membrane a flexible structure that is constantly

r
ab
changing in shape. Proteins are found within the phospholipid bilayer where that interact

lG
with phospholipids, such that the hydrophilic R groups interact with phosphate heads and
hydrophobic R groups interact with fatty acid tails.

ha
2A.3. Osmosis
(3) Ni
&
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 194


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

2A.1. Cell membranes

Phospholipid molecules are composed of hydrophilic phosphate head and


hydrophobic fatty acid tails, where polar heads lie facing watery solutions on both
sides of the cell membrane as they are water soluble and form hydrogen bonds with
water thus helping to stabilize the cell membrane, while non polar fatty acid tails are

r
repelled away from water forming hydrophobic core, i.e. forming a layer that is

ab
impermeable to hydrophilic substances.

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Fatty acid tails are hydrophobic, they aggregate together and orientate away from water. Where phosphate groups on the
phospholipid are hydrophilic and associate with water. Two phospholipid monolayers form bilayer.

ha
Ni
Cell membrane is fluid, where protein molecules and phospholipids can
&
move/diffuse within their monolayer, giving the membrane a flexible
structure that is constantly changing in shape.
n
wa

Mosaic, where there are protein molecules scattered within the


phospholipid bilayer, including pores/channel and carrier systems in
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lipid bilayer.
.N
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Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 197


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

Hydrocarbon tails

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&
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0.4

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 205


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

Negative correlation

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Ni 15.38
&
Cholesterol reduces membrane fluidity where it forms hydrophobic interaction
with fatty acid tails of phospholipids, thus bringing them closer together so less
n
wa

movement is possible.
Combines with fatty acid tails, holding/pulling them closer together, reducing
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movement of phospholipids/fatty acids.


.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 206


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

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9 May 2017
Ni Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1
2A.1. Cell membranes
&
n
wa
ag
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Dr

Phospholipid molecule
Important

•Phospholipids form bilayer, as they have polar heads and non-polar tails.
•Proteins are located between the phospholipids.
•Due to the interaction between R groups of proteins and phospholipids.
•Phospholipids are free to move, making the membrane fluid.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 212


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

2A.2. Cell transport & diffusion

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Platelets are activated


n
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9:1

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 226


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

•No effect on the total membrane phospholipids


•The inner layer will have a relatively higher content of the other Linked to
phospholipids. 1A.1. Cell
membranes

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•Will alter membrane permeability Ni
•So that platelets will release thromboplastin
•Thromboplastin is an enzyme
&

•Catalyses the conversion of prothrombin into thrombin Linked to 1B.2.


n

Role of the blood


wa

& 2B.1. Enzymes


ag
.N
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Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 227


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

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2A.1. Cell membrane
Ni
&
n

Cell membrane is fluid where phospholipid molecules can move about/diffuse within
wa

their monolayer, giving the membrane a flexible structure that is constantly changing
in shape.
ag

Presence of cholesterol contributes to fluidity.


.N
Dr

Would increase the surface area of cell membrane so the uptake of substances
would be faster.
Linked to 2A.2. Cell
transport & diffusion

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 235


Enzymes
When describing graph
•positive/negative correlation
•linear/non linear
Note that, when increasing the surface area to volume ratio of substrate,
more surface is exposed, so more frequent successful collisions between
enzyme and substrate, so more enzyme substrate complex, so higher rate of
reaction.
Why enzyme can break substrate quickly

Why initial rate is measured


Effect of enzyme concentration on rate of reaction

As enzyme concentration increases, more number of active sites, so


more frequent successful collisions between enzyme and substrate, so
more enzyme substrate complexes formed, so higher rate of reaction.
Mechanism of action of enzymes
•enzymes have a specific active site
•substrate has a complimentary shape to the active site
•substrate fits and binds to active site by temporary hydrogen bonds
•forming enzyme substrate complex
•causing strain (i.e. stress on substrate)
•so lowers the activation energy (i.e. reaction takes place at lower temperature)
•products produced no longer fit into active site, so they will be released
•enzyme is free to bind to another substrate, where it is not used up in the
reaction.
How enzymes work by induced fit mechanism
•the substrate is partially complimentary to the active site
•active site changes shape slightly when substrate fits to it.
•i.e. it molds and folds around substrate.
•so active site and substrate are now complimentary and better fit.
•allowing formation of enzyme substrate complex.
•where R groups of the amino acids in the active site interact with substrate, so
strong bonding of substrate to active site.
•this interaction cause the break of substrate apart or encourage the formation
of new bonds between molecules, forming one, two or more bonds.
Activation energy is the energy needed by the reactants to reach the
unstable transition state to be converted into products.
How enzymes lower the activation energy
•by providing an alternative pathway for the reaction to take place.
•bring reactants close together in the active site forming enzyme substrate
complex.
•where R groups of amino acids in the active site interact with the reactants
(i.e. substrate)
•thus making it easier for bonds in the reactant (substrate) to break down or
formed to form products.
Investigating the progress of an enzyme catalyzed reaction
•start with known concentration of substrate and enzyme.
•set controlled variables (temperature and pH)
•measure rate of decrease in substrate concentration or increase in product
concentration.
If the independent variable is enzyme concentration
•initially, high concentration of substrate due to the presence of free active sites
so more enzyme substrate complexes formed, so higher rate of reaction.
•rate slows down as concentration of substrate decreases (i.e. more substrate
converted into products), less substrate to bind with enzymes, so less occupied
active sites, so less number of successful collisions so less enzyme substrate
complexes formed so slower rate of reaction by time until reaction stops and
graph levels off (i.e. all substrate used up).
•Initial rate measured by calculating slope of graph as close to time zero as
possible
In order to have a fair and valid comparison, the initial rate of reaction is
compared as initially the substrate concentration is highest (i.e. it is not a
limiting factor), so highest chance of collisions between enzyme and
substrate, so highest possible rate of reaction.
But once the reaction proceeds, the substrate concentration decreases with
different rates, till the rate eventually levels off.
Molecular activity/turnover number is the maximum number of substrate molecules
upon which an enzyme can act and turn into products per unit time.
Hint
•In the prothrombin question, the structure of prothrombin is altered so when changed
into the active enzyme thrombin by the action of thromboplastin, thrombin has higher
molecular activity thus causing increase in the formation of blood clots.
Temperature and enzyme activity
Temperature coefficient (the measure of effect or temperature on reaction rate)
Q10= rate of reaction at (X+10C)/rate of reaction at XC
Below optimum
•increase in temperature increase the kinetic energy of enzyme and substrate.
•so molecules move faster.
•so more frequent successful collisions between enzyme and substrate.
•so more enzyme substrate complexes formed
At optimum
•enzyme works at its best
Above optimum
•rate of reaction decreases steeply
•molecules vibrate so energetically that some of the bonds holding the enzyme
molecule in its precise shape gets broken down (mainly hydrogen bonds)
•so enzyme loses its tertiary structure.
•the shape of the active site changes and 3D shape of enzyme changes.
•enzyme denatures (i.e. inactive)
Thermophilic bacteria living in hot springs can work at very high temperatures.
•they have temperature resistant proteins that contain a very high density of
hydrogen and disulfide bonds, which hold them together even at high
temperatures.
As temperature decreases below optimum, enzyme deactivation occurs, by loosing
their kinetic energy, so decreasing collisions thus decreasing rate of reaction.
Substrate concentration
At low substrate concentration
•substrate is a limiting factor
•there are few collisions between enzyme and substrate
•some active sites are occupied (becomes more occupied by increasing substrate concentration).
•so few enzyme substrate complexes formed
At higher concentration of substrate (after reaching Vmax-i.e. saturation level where all active sites are occupied)
•enzyme concentration is a limiting factor (where at this point, only an increase in enzyme concentration will
increase the reaction rate).
•all active sites are occupied
•maximum number of active sites formed
•so further increase in substrate concentration doesn’t increase the rate of reaction.
pH and enzyme activity
•changing pH changes the concentration of hydrogen ions in solution.
•the charges on R groups of amino acids at the active site may be affected.
•so ionic bonds maintaining the shape of tertiary structure breaks.
•so shape of the active site is altered and enzyme denatures
•so no enzyme substrate complex as substrate is no longer complimentary
to enzyme.
Comparing enzyme affinity to substrate
Turnover/molecular activity is the maximum number of substrate upon which
enzyme molecule can act and change into product per minute.
Vmax is the maximum rate of enzyme catalyzed reaction, at the Vmax all
active sites are occupied (i.e. saturated) with substrate.
Km is the affinity of enzyme to substrate (i.e. the substrate concentration
needed to reach half the Vmax)
As Km increases, affinity decreases.

Important
•Note that, in experiments use control as a reference to
set colorimeter absorbance to zero.
•if the cuvette is scratched it can result in greater
absorbance of light, yet this is a systematic error as it will
cause readings to be higher than true value for every
measurement.
•When measuring different pH, select buffer solutions for
the different pH values being investigated.
Mechanism of competitive inhibitors (used to control rate of enzyme catalyzed reaction)
•inhibitor has similar shape to substrate (i.e. complimentary shape to the active site of
enzyme)
•compete with substrate for the active site of enzyme
•binds to active site
•thus reducing frequency of successful collisions between enzyme and substrate.
•so fewer enzyme substrate complexes formed.
•so lower rate of reaction at lower substrate concentration. Yet has no effect at higher
Where at higher substrate concentration, the frequency of successful collisions increase, so
substrate concentration.
more enzyme substrate complexes formed so higher rate of reaction, thus cancelling the
Effect on Vmax and Km effect of competitive inhibitor.

Vmax is determined by enzyme concentration, where upon increasing substrate


concentration, inhibitor has less effect and Vmax is reached, meaning that Km is higher
so reduced affinity of enzyme to substrate as inhibitor competes with enzyme on active
site. Vmax depends on the enzyme concentration, so competitive inhibitor has no effect on Vmax.
Non competitive inhibitor (reduce maximum rate of reaction i.e. Vmax)
•inhibitor binds to a site on enzyme other than active site such as allosteric site.
•causing a change in tertiary structure of enzyme
•causing a change in shape of active site as it disrupts the normal arrangement of
hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions holding the enzyme molecule in its
3 dimensional shape.
•so substrate is unable to bind to active site
•so fewer enzyme substrate complexes formed thus reducing enzyme activity
•Vmax decreases as increasing substrate concentration will have no effect.
•Km stays constant as the inhibitor doesn’t interfere (i.e. compete) with the
binding of substrate with the enzyme.

Anabolic (building up of large molecules from smaller ones using energy from ATP)
Catabolic (breaking down of large molecules into smaller ones releasing energy)
Intracellular enzymes include DNA polymerase and are enzymes synthesized in
cell and operate within cells.
Extra cellular enzymes include digestive enzymes and are enzymes secreted by
cell and catalyze reactions outside cells.
Nucleic acids are made up of many nucleotides, held together by phosphodiester
bonds forming polynucleotides. DNA and RNA are polymers made from
monomers known as nucleotides, they are therefore polynucleotides.
Nucleotides are made up of three smaller components
•phosphate group (negatively charged)
•pentose sugar
•nitrogen containing base
These three units combine together by condensation reaction with elimination of
two water molecules to form a mononucleotide.
•phosphate •base is either purine base (two
group means rings including, adenine and
that nucleotides guanine) or pyrimidine base
are acidic and (single ring including, thymine,

are negatively uracil and cytosine).

charged. •pentose sugar (either deoxyribose or ribose), the difference


is that deoxyribose has one less oxygen atom in its molecule.

Adenosine triphosphate ATP


Structure
•it is a phosphorylated mono nucleotide, made from ribose (pentose sugar) and
adenine (nitrogen containing base), forming adenosine, and can be combined
with one, two or three phosphate groups to give, adenosine mono phosphate,
adenosine diphosphate and adenosine triphosphate.
Function
•ATP is a universal energy donor as it is small and water soluble so can easily
diffuse between cell organelles and is an immediate energy donor as it easily
hydrolyzed to ADP to release energy in presence of water.
•used in cell division, muscle contraction, maintenance of body temperature,
anabolic reactions such as protein synthesis and nerve impulse transmission.
Formation of polynucleotide
•formed during interphase, where many nucleotides
are linked together by
condensation reaction forming phosphodiester bond
between the phosphate of one nucleotide and carbon
3’ in the pentose sugar of the other nucleotide.
•the phosphodiester bond links the carbon 5’ of one
sugar with the carbon 3’ of the next forming sugar
phosphate backbone with its bases alongside (i.e.
pointing inwards from the two sugar phosphate
backbones in case of DNA)
The structure of DNA molecule
•the DNA molecule is composed of two polynucleotide strands, that are anti parallel
to each other (i.e. they run on the opposite direction, where the strand are 3’ to 5’
and 5’ to 3’)
•polynucleotide strands are made up of nucleotides which are composed of even
smaller molecules, including deoxyribose sugar, phosphate group and nitrogenous
base.
•the polynucleotide strands are held together by hydrogen bonds formed between
the nitrogenous bases (i.e. the amino and carboxyl groups of purine and pyrimidine
bases on the opposite strands).
•the bases pair together according to the complimentary base pairing rule where in
each base pair there is a purine and pyrimidine (i.e. A pairs with T and C pairs with
G)
•each strand has sugar phosphate backbone with phosphodiester bonds between
mono nucleotides.
•the two strands twist forming a double helix (3D shape).
•each full turn in a DNA molecule has 10 base pairs (3.4 nm in length).
Importance of hydrogen bonds between polynucleotide strands
•hydrogen bonds hold the polynucleotide strands together.
•they contribute to the 3D structure of DNA (where hydrogen bonds
between bases stabilize the a-helix structure)
•many hydrogen bonds give stability
•hydrogen bonds are more easily broken than covalent bonds therefore,
strands are easily separated for replication and transcription.
•hydrogen bonds are formed between specific bases so few mistakes (i.e.
faithful replication)
•hydrogen bonds can be easily reformed without chemical reaction.
Structural features of DNA making it a stable molecule
•complimentary base pairing holds the strands together.
•due to many hydrogen bonds holding strand together.
•sugar phosphate backbone with phosphodiester bonds.
•double helix structure protects bases.
•coiling protects from enzyme or any chemical attack.
Importance of genetic stability
•sequence won’t be spontaneously changed, thus decreasing chance of
mutation, so protein produced will always be functional.
•maintain all genetic information throughout the life of cell so that it can
be passed on to daughter cells.
•maintain size so that DNA stays enclosed within nucleus.
Semi conservative replication
An increase in the number of DNA molecules, where each DNA becomes
replicated (i.e. copied) where each old parental strand act as template strand to
form complimentary strand. Thus, producing two genetically identical molecules,
where the new DNA molecule has one old and one new strand.
Occurs during the S phase of the cell cycle (i.e. late interphase).
Steps of DNA replication
•the DNA double helix unwinds.
•hydrogen bonds between complimentary bases are broken down by the
enzyme, DNA helicase (strands separate).
•the free activated nucleotides line up along both strands.
•where both DNA strands act as templates, each in the bases of the
activated DNA nucleotides pair up with its complimentary base on each of
the old DNA strand where hydrogen bonds are formed between bases.
•DNA polymerase enzyme assembles the new nucleotides along the DNA
template strand step by step sequentially.
•DNA ligase enzyme catalyses the formation of phosphodiester bonds
between adjacent mono nucleotides.
•the process continues along the whole DNA molecule.
•producing two genetically identical DNA molecules.
•replication is semi conservative where each newly formed DNA molecule
has one old parental strand and one newly synthesized strand.
•where each of the two strands, the old and the new complimentary one
wind together forming two DNA helices that are genetically identical to
each other and to their mother.
Experimental evidence for semi conservative replication by Meselson and Stahl
•the bacteria (E.coli) were grown for many generations in a medium containing the
heavy isotope of nitrogen N15.
•this produced bacteria with heavy isotope, nitrogen 15 carried on both strands of
its DNA molecule, thus DNA would be heavier than the DNA with nitrogen 14.
•the bacteria with heavy isotope, nitrogen 15 strands on its DNA were grown in a
medium containing the normal isotope nitrogen 14, and were left to divide one
generation.
•the offsprings showed DNA molecule with both strands N14 N15.
•the second generation had N14 N14 and N15 N14.
Gene
A gene is a length of DNA containing a specific sequence of bases
that codes for specific sequence of amino acids to form specific
protein with particular characteristic/phenotype/feature.

Sense strand (non template strand)


The strand on the DNA molecule, that carries the code for the
manufacture of protein in a cell.
Anti sense strand (template strand)
Is the other strand on DNA molecule which is used to stabilize the DNA
and allow its replication. DNA strand which acts as a template for an
mRNA molecule

The sequence of three bases on template strand of the DNA


codes for one amino acid, the sequence of bases that codes for
all amino acids in a protein is called a gene.
Triplet code is genetic code made of three nucleotides, which
codes for one amino acid in a protein.
Properties of
Genetic code
Triplet Universal Degenerate Not overlap
Each sequence of The same triplet Meaning that some Meaning that, no
three base on DNA genetic code, codes amino acids have more base of a given
or RNA is referred to for the same amino than one genetic code. triplet enter to be
as codon. acid in all living Which means that part of the
With four different organisms. there are more codons adjacent triplet.
bases, there are 64 Which is strong than the number of
Proved using
possible codons, amino acids.
evidence that all point mutation/
Where arranging four
which is more than living organisms substitution (a
bases in triplets gives
enough to specify the originate from the change in a single
64 possible
20 different amino same group. base of the DNA
combinations, so 61
acids that occur in
possible codons for code).
proteins.
20 amino acids (and
Note that, the fact that the genetic 3 stop codons), so
code is universal means that more than one codon
genetic engineering is possible specifies an amino
(eg. inserting the human gene, acid, this minimizes the

coding for insulin into bacteria for effect of mutation.

mass production as bacteria is


able to make the same protein,
insulin)
Transcription
1. Part of the DNA (gene) unwinds and unzips
due to the break of hydrogen bonds.
2. The anti-sense strand acts as a template, where free
activated RNA nucleotides line up against the template
strand according to the complimentary base pairing rule
(where A pairs with U and C pairs with G).
3. The free nucleotides join together by RNA
polymerase forming mRNA molecule.
4. The process ends when the chain reaches the stop codon
(ATT, ATC, ACT) and mRNA separates from the DNA
template strand allowing the DNA chains of the double helix
to rejoin.
5. Then mRNA leaves the nucleus through the nuclear
pores in the nuclear membrane to the ribosome in the
cytoplasm.
Translation
Translation takes place in the ribosome and it involves the conversion of the
code on mRNA into a protein in the ribosome in the cytoplasm.
The triplet code on mRNA is called a codon, where each codon codes for a
particular amino acid.
The mRNA attaches to ribosome.
Ribosome is made from a rRNA (ribosomal RNA) and a protein, with small
and large subunit.
TRNA
1. tRNA has anticodon which is complimentary to a particular codon on mRNA.
2. The other end of tRNA is a site where a specific amino acid can attach under
a control of specific enzyme, using energy from ATP forming tRNA-amino acid
complex.
3. The tRNA molecule carries its amino acid to the ribosome where its specific
anticodon links up with corresponding mRNA codon.
4. A peptide bond is formed between amino acids by condensation reaction.
Note that, there are 20 different amino acids, so there must be at least
20 different codons and 20 different anticodons, in fact there are
more than this since genetic code is degenerate meaning that one amino
acid can be coded for my more than one codon.
Start codon initiates translation which is AUG on mRNA that codes for the
amino acid methionine (methionine is later removed from the chain if not
needed in the structure)
The final three bases in the gene are stop codons which are either UAA,
UGA or UAG on mRNA, these don’t code for an amino acid and are
known as stop codons.
Stop codons cause ribosome to detach and therefore, terminate
translation.
The synthesis of the particular polypeptide chain coded for by that
particular gene is complete.
Note that, the fact that the genetic code is universal means that genetic
engineering is possible (eg. inserting the human gene, coding for insulin into
bacteria for mass production as bacteria is able to make the same protein,
insulin)
Steps of translation
1. The mRNA attaches to the small subunit of ribosome, where six
bases are exposed to the large subunit.
2. The tRNA with complimentary anticodon UAC (carrying
methionine amino acid) binds with hydrogen bonds to the mRNA at
the start codon AUG.
Note that, start codon initiates translation which is AUG on mRNA that
codes for the amino acid methionine (which can be later removed from
the sequence of not needed in the structure).
3. Another tRNA brings along a second amino acid, the anticodon of
the second tRNA binds to the codon on mRNA.
(two tRNA molecules fit into the ribosome at any one time, bringing
two amino acids side by side)
4. The two amino acids are held closely together and peptide bond is
formed between methionine and the second amino acid.
5. This is a condensation reaction catalyzed by peptidyl transferase
which is found in the ribosome.
6. The first tRNA molecule is then released and the ribosome moves
along the mRNA to bring the next codon in position of translation and the
third tRNA molecule binds.
7. More tRNA molecules arrive at mRNA and add their amino acids to
the growing chain of polypeptide until stop codon is exposed to ribosome
which stops further translation (i.e. terminates translation) and does not
code for amino acids.
8. Polypeptide is released and enters the endoplasmic reticulum and the
ribosomal subunits float independently in the cytoplasm.
Note that, a single mRNA can be translated by several ribosomes at the
same time. Thus, several identical polypeptide chains are synthesized
from one mRNA.
Comparison between mRNA and tRNA
Similarities
1. Both are made up of RNA nucleotides.
2. Both have a ribose sugar.
3. Both have uracil base.
4. Both single stranded.
Differences
1. mRNA is straight while tRNA is folded.
2. mRNA has no hydrogen bonds while tRNA has
hydrogen bonds holding its structure together.
3. mRNA has codon while tRNA has anticodon.
4. mRNA does not carry amino acids (no amino acid
binding site) while tRNA carries amino acid (has an amino
acid bindings site).
5. mRNA is found in the nucleus and cytoplasm while
tRNA is found only in the cytoplasm.
6. the length of mRNA is determined by the size of gene
while the length of tRNA is fixed.
Usually, several ribosomes work on the
same mRNA strand at the same time.
They are visible, using an electron
microscope, as polyribosomes (mass
production)
1. So a single mRNA can be translated
by several by ribosomes at the same
time.
2. thus several identical polypeptide
chains are synthesised from one
mRNA.

Summary

r
ab
First :Role of mRNA: lg
1. Produced by transcription.
2. Important in translation by using base sequence to make polypeptide chain.
iha
3. Where it leaves nucleus moving towards ribosome
4. It attaches to the small subunit of ribosome.
5. Carry codons where each codon codes for a particular amino acid.
6. tRNA binds and bring specific amino acids to the ribosome.
.N

7. where its specific anticodon links up with corresponding mRNA codon.


8. According to the complementary base pairing( A=U, CΞG)
Dr

9. Example of codon on mRNA AUC and its complementary anticodon will be UAG.
10. single mRNA can be translated by several by ribosomes at the same time (polyribosomes).
11. mRNA is short lived where it can produce proteins for short period of time.

Second :Role of tRNA:

1. At the one end of tRNA there is a site where a specific amino acid can attach under the
control of specific enzyme.
2. tRNA carries amino acids to ribosome.
3. where its specific anticodon links up with corresponding mRNA codon.

Dr.NIhal Gabr 146


4. According to base pairing ( A=U, CΞG).
5. Two tRNA binds to the ribosome at the same time.
6. two amino acids are held closely together.
7. For peptide bond formation.
8. tRNA can be reused by binding to another amino acid.

Third :Role of ribosome:


1. Its important for translation.
2. Where The mRNA attaches to
the small subunit of ribosome,
six bases at a time are exposed
to the large subunit.
3. mRNA has codes for specific
sequence of amino acids in a

r
polypeptide chain.

ab
4. Ribosome moves along the
mRNA one codon at a time.
5. Ribosome provides sites for lg
attachment of the two tRNA at a time.
6. Where each tRNA carries specific amino acid, so 2 amino acids are held close together.
7. With its specific anticodon links up with corresponding mRNA codon.
iha
8. Peptide bond formed between 2 amino acids, through a condensation reaction catalysed by
peptidyl transferase which is found in ribosome.
9. Assembly of amino acids into primary structure.
.N

Fourth :comparisons:
Dr

mRNA tRNA
Straight Folded
No hydrogen bonds Hydrogen bonds holding the structure together

Codons Anticodons

No amino acids binding site Has amino acid binding site

Found in nucleus and cytoplas Found in cytoplasm

Length depend on size of gene Size/ Length is fixed

Dr.NIhal Gabr 147


DNA Polypeptide
Monomers are nucleotides Monomers are amino acids

There are only four different nucleotides There are 20 different amino acids

Nucleotides are linked together by phosphodiester Amnio acids are linked together by peptide bonds.
bonds

Made of 2 strands Only one

One structure( alpha- helix) Takes primary , secondary , tertiary or quaternary


structure)

DNA replication DNA Transcription


All the DNA molecule is replicated/ copied. Only the gene(length of the DNA ) is transcribed/
copied
Both strands act as templates Only One strand is involved
Complementary base pairing A-T Complementary base pairing A-U

r
Where thymine is used as complementary base to Where uracil is used as complementary base to
adenine. adenine.

ab
Controlled by DNA polymerase enzyme Controlled by RNA polymerase enzyme.

Free activated DNA nucleotides are joined


lg Free activated RNA nucleotides are joined
Which has deoxyribose Which has ribose.

Two DNA molecules produced mRNA produced which is single stranded and
Where each is double stranded and helical straight.
iha
Molecules produced are double stranded DNA Molecule produced is single stranded mRNA

Important in mitosis, meiosis Important in protein synthesis


.N

Fifth :protein synthesis and release from cell


Dr

1. Gene in DNA transcribed forming mRNA using DNA as template in nucleus.


2. mRNA contains code for polypeptide.
3. mRNA leaves nucleus to cytoplasm where it binds/associateswith ribosome.
4. tRNA molecules attached to specific amino acids.
5. tRNA with specific amino acid carried to ribosome.
6. pairing of codons on mRNA with anticodon on tRNA.
7. Formation of peptide bond between adjacent amino acid .
8. Protein formed enters the rough endoplasmic reticulum .
9. The proteins are then modified ( ex; glycosylation)
10. Then protein can be released from plasma cell where vesicles move to cell surface membrane
via cytoskeleton, vesicle then fuse with cell surface membrane (exocytosis) using energy from
ATP.

Dr.NIhal Gabr 148


Important questions
Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

Semiconservative replication allows the formation of new DNA molecules


that are genetically identical to each other and to their mother. Thus,
lowering the risk of mutation (i.e. change in base sequence), so that the
proteins produced will always be functional.
Points missing
•results in genetically identical daughter cells.

r
•having same structure/function and genetic sequence as parent cell.

ab
lG
ha
All bacteria grown will have the heavy Ni
isotope, N15 in their DNA. N15 N15
&

Bacteria grown will have both isotopes of


n

N15 N14 N15 N14


nitrogen therefore will be hybrid.
wa
ag

N15 N14 N14 N14 N15 N14 N14 N14


.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 280


Gene mutation
Alteration in DNA by sudden random change of base sequence of DNA.
Causes of mutation
•error during DNA replication, as errors are copied during replication
when wrong bases are inserted.
•exposure to a mutagen which may be either a chemical, such as mustard
gas or tobacco smoke or physical such as X-rays and UV rays.
Types of mutation

Gene mutation Chromosomal mutation

Point mutation Frame shift


(Substitution) Deletion Insertion
A change in a single base of the DNA Where one nucleotide is Where one nucleotide is
code (i.e. affects one triplet code) missed out, so the entire inserted twice, so the
Can have one of three effects base sequence is altered. entire base sequence is
Where each triplet after altered. Where each triplet
Silent mutation Non sense Missense mutation is changed. So after mutation is changed
The base substitution The altered codon The altered codon the whole gene is and code of an entirely
can be silent mutation corresponds to a stop corresponds to different and code for an different protein, as all
where the altered codon (i.e. stop signal) different amino entirely different protein, amino acids coded for
codon corresponds to so new polypeptide acid. as all amino acids coded after mutation are now
the same amino acid. chain might be shorter. for after mutation are different.
(i.e degenerate new now different. (one base added, thus
codon which (one base removed, thus shifting the reading frame
corresponds to same shifting the reading forward one place).
amino acid) frame backward one
place).
Note that, the closer the mutation to the start

Chromosomal mutation of the base sequence, the greater the effect.

Chromosomal mutation Whole chromosome mutations


Change in position of entire The loss or duplication of whole chromosome during meiosis.
genes within chromosome. Example, Down syndrome, which is caused by a whole
chromosome mutation at chromosome 21.
6 Errors in DNA replication can give rise to mutations.
The diagram shows the bases in a length of DNA.

Length of DNA A T G C T C A T T T A C C A T C G A

Base number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

The table shows the genetic code for the amino acids.

Genetic Amino Genetic Amino Genetic Genetic


Amino acid Amino acid
code acid code acid code code
AAA CAA GAA TAC
Lysine Glutamine Glutamic acid Tyrosine
AAG CAG GAG TAT
TCA
AAC CAT GAC TCC
Asparagine Histidine Aspartic acid Serine
AAT CAC GAT TCG
TCT
ACA CCA GCA
ACC CCC GCC
Threonine Proline Alanine TGG Tryptophan
ACG CCG GCG
ACT CCT GCT
CGA GGA
AGA CGC GGC TGC
Arginine Arginine Glycine Cysteine
AGG CGG GGG TGT
CGT GGT
CTA GTA
AGC CTC GTC TTA
Serine Leucine Valine Leucine
AGT CTG GTG TTG
CTT GTT
ATA
TTC
ATC Isoleucine Phenylalanine
TTT
ATT

ATG Methionine

The genetic codes TAA, TAG and TGA are stop codons.
(a) State the sequence of the first four amino acids coded for by this length of DNA.
(1)

Methionine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Tyrosine


. . . . . . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... ............................................................................................................................... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14
*P62792RA01428*
(b) A change in a single base can cause a change in the amino acid sequence
produced in protein synthesis.
(i) Name the type of each mutation described below.
(2)

Substitution
Base number 3 becomes cytosine (C) ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (missense)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Deletion
Base number 6 becomes number 5 in the sequence................................................................................................................... .....................

Insertion
Base number 9 becomes number 10 in the sequence ................................................................................................................ ....................

*(ii) Explain the possible effects of these three types of mutation on the amino
acid sequence coded for by this length of DNA.
Use the information in the table to support your answer.
(6)

Substitution (point mutation)


. . . . . . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ ............................................................................................................................... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Where there is a change in a single base of one triplet code (i.e. codon).
. . . . . . . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ ............................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This may result in one of the three possibilities,


. Silent mutation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... ............................................................................................................................... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . ...................................

Where the altered codon will code for the same amino acid due to the fact that the triplet codes (i.e.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ ............................................................................................................................... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

genetic codes) are degenerate.


Example, if base 6 was replaced with adenine then the new codon (CTA) still codes for Leucine.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... ............................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nonsense
. . . . . . . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... ............................................................................................................................... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Where the altered codon will be a stop codon.


. . . . . . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ ............................................................................................................................... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Example, if base 12 was replaced with Adenine.


Missense
. . . . . . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... ............................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Where the altered codon corresponds (i.e. codes for) another amino acid.
. . . . . . . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... ............................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Example, if base 3 was replaced by cytosine, this will code for Isoleucine instead of methionine.
. . . . . . . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ ............................................................................................................................... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Deletion
Where one base is removed, causing the entity sequence to be altered (shifting the reading frame
. . . . . . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... ............................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

backward one place), so all amino acids after mutation will be altered.
. . . . . . . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... ............................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Example, removal of base 4 causes the to become methionine, serine, phenylalanine, threonine.
. . . . . . . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ ............................................................................................................................... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Insertion
. . . . . . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... ............................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Where one base is added twice, causing the entire sequence to be altered (shift the reading
frame forward one place), so all amino acids after mutation will be altered.
. . . . . . . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... ............................................................................................................................... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Example, adding T between base 9 and 10, so sequence becomes leucine, proline, serine.
. . . . . . . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ ............................................................................................................................... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(Total for Question 6 = 9 marks)

15
*P62792RA01528* Turn over
Gene mutation
Change in nucleotide (i.e. base sequence) of DNA, so a new allele is formed. This can
happen by substitution, deletion or insertion.
This change leads to change in the transcribed mRNA (i.e. mRNA with altered
codons).
In case of substitution, a new amino acid with different R groups may be incorporated
into the growing chain of polypeptide at the ribosome during translation.
Causing change in primary structure of protein (i.e. amino acid sequence on
polypeptide) which in turn causes change in three dimensional shape of protein, so
different protein with altered function or totally un functional protein may be produced.
Note that, mutation can lead to cancer, characterized by uncontrolled cells division to
form a mass of functionless cells known as tumor.
Why most mutation have no observable effect?
•occur in non coding DNA.
•code is degenerate.
•one allele might be altered.
•DNA repair mechanism.
How change in DNA base sequence might lead to loss of enzyme activity?
Mutation takes place where there is a change in base sequence of gene, so a new allele is
formed. Resulting in changed mRNA codons (i.e. base sequence of transcribed mRNA is
changed). So different tRNA with different anticodon will be involved, as tRNA will carry
different (incorrect) amino acid to the ribosome. So incorrect amino acid is incorporated into
the the growing polypeptide chain, so change in amino acid sequence (i.e. primary structure of
protein is changed). So polypeptide will fold differently, leading to change in tertiary structure
(3D shape). So the active site will have a different shape/charge. So substrate no longer
binds to active site.
Genetic disorders are disorders resulting from defect in gene such as sickle cell anemia which
results from point mutation (i.e. substitution) where different base is incorporated in the DNA
base sequence resulting in the formation of a new allele (i.e form of gene).
Allele formed is recessive, therefore the person affected carries homozygous recessive allele (i.e.
carries two copies of the defective allele).
Pattern of inheritance
Gene
A length of DNA coding for specific protein, thus determining specific characteristics
(i.e. traits).
Alleles
Are alternative forms of same game.
Dominant
Allele is expressed in phenotype whether the individual is homozygous or heterozygous
for that allele.
Recessive
Allele is expressed in phenotype only when individual is homozygous for that recessive
trait (i.e. both alleles coding for recessive trait).
Homozygous (homozygote)
An individual when both alleles coding for a particular characteristic are identical.
Heterozygous (heterozygote)
An individual where the two alleles coding for particular characteristic are different.
Genotype
Genetic makeup of an organism with respect to a particular feature or combination of/
pair of/two/all alleles present in an organism of particular trait.
Phenotype
All characteristics of an organism which is determined by the interaction between
genes (genotype) and environment (observable features).
True breeding
A homozygous organism that always produce the same offspring when crossed with
another true breeding organism for the same characteristic.
(which means parents must be both dominant or both recessive).
Mono hybrid cross
A genetic cross where only one gene for one characteristic is considered.
Test cross
A test made to find out the genotype of an individual with dominant phenotype for a
particular gene by crossing it with one to have the homozygous recessive genotype for
the same gene.
To reveal the parental genotype (i.e. being homozygous dominant or heterozygous).
Codominance
When pair of alleles are equally dominant, so in heterozygous where both alleles at a
gene are fully expressed in the phenotype. Example include blood groups.
•Cystic fibrosis is a serious genetic disorder that is causers by faulty allele on autosome,
which affects the production of mucus by epithelial cells.
•CFTR gene is a large gene, meaning that it is at higher risk of mutation, where mutation in
this gene leads to abnormal CFTR (cystic fibrosis trans membrane regulator) protein and
cause sticky mucus.

Effect of cystic fibrosis on air ways


•If the person carries the normal CFTR gene, then CFTR protein is synthesized and can
function properly, where CFTR channel protein allows the movement of chloride ions out of
the epithelial cells -through CFTR channel proteins- and into the mucus. Sodium channels are
inhibited by CFTR so sodium ions remain outside cells in the mucus. Therefore, mucus
becomes hypertonic thus, water moves out of epithelial cells into the mucus by osmosis,
resulting in thinner watery mucus. So cilia can beat, moving mucus away from airways (i.e.
bronchi and bronchioles).
•Mutation in the CFTR gene (i.e. faulty/defective allele) leads to change in primary structure
of protein, which in turn causes a change in the tertiary structure of the protein. So CFTR
cannot function properly therefore, chloride ions build up inside cells as well as sodium
channels are not inhibited so sodium ions move into epithelial cells so the cytoplasm becomes
hypertonic. Water therefore, leaves the mucus and enters cells by osmosis, so the mucus
becomes thick and sticky. So cilia cannot beat, so it cannot move mucus away -as it is too
thick- which will accumulate in the airways (i.e. bronchi and bronchioles) reducing rate of gas
exchange. Also, mucus traps dust and bacteria -bacteria has ideal growth conditions in the
mucus- so can cause infections. So the person starts coughing to remove mucus which will
damage the cells lining airways.
Treatments of cystic fibrosis
•antibiotics to prevent and treat chest infections
•medicines to make the mucus thinner and easier to cough up
(mucolytics)
•medicines to widen airways and reduce inflammation.
•physiotherapy to dislodge mucus for efficient gas exchange.
Symptoms of cystic fibrosis

The respiratory system The digestive system The reproductive system In sweat glands
•Where thick, sticky mucus builds up in the •Thick sticky mucus causes
In women Normally, CFTR allows chloride
airways (i.e. bronchi and bronchioles) so blockage of the pancreatic duct, Egg produced, yet female has a ions to move into epithelial cells, so
narrowing airways. Thus, reducing air flow so no enzymes (i.e. amylase,
weak chance of fertility due to, less chloride ions in sweat as well as
into the alveoli -less ventilation- which in lipase and trypsin) reaching the •Thick mucus which can block the reducing water loss and preventing
turn reduces the concentration gradient duodenum, so no digestion of cervix and so sperm cannot reach dehydration.
between the blood and the alveoli, so carbohydrates, fats and proteins, the egg.
CFTR mutation causes less chloride
reducing gas exchange (i.e. less diffusion of so they cannot be absorbed.
•Thick mucus blocks the oviduct so ions to move into endothelial cells, so
oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide •Also, excessive build up of
decreasing chance of fertilization. more salts (i.e. chloride and sodium)
into the alveoli), so reduced supply of mucus on villi cause reduced •Implantation impaired. are lost in sweat, so water moves by
oxygen to respiring cells, so less aerobic surface area available for In men osmosis out of epithelial cells
respiration, so less ATP thus resulting in absorption. So less absorption of •Lack of vas deference which is the
increasing chance of dehydration.
tiredness and lack of energy. nutrients, which leads to tube carrying sperm out of the
•Besides, coughing due to the sticky mucus malnutrition.
testes into semen.
which cannot be moved away by cilia. •Moreover, enzymes trapped in •Vas deference is present, yet it
•Moreover, mucus fill up the lungs the pancreas will start digesting may be partially of totally blocked
containing trapped particles of dust and cells of the pancreas, thus by thick mucus so, less or no sperm
bacteria (pathogens), where mucus provides affecting cells producing insulin
leaving testes.
optimum conditions for bacterial growth so so person might get diabetic.
bacteria replicates increasing susceptibility
to lung infection where antibacterial affect
will stop due to thick mucus.
Fifth: 2C.5 :Genetic screening:

When whole population ( large number of people) are tested for genetic disease.
To be able to identify carriers.

Its important to diagnose the genetic diseases as early as possible to improve the chances of survival
and their general state of health.

Process:

• If one member of a family is born with genetic disease such as cystic fibrosis......so other
members of the family will be offered genetic testing.
• Diploid somatic cells are used and analysed ( gametes are not used as it has half the DNA
and the mutation might be missed).

r
• All possible CFTR mutations are tested as its a large gene .

ab
• If one partner in a couple knows he is a carrier, so the other partner is advised to be
tested as well.

lg
Because if two carriers have a baby there is a 1 in 4 risk that it will be affected by genetic
disease( cystic fibrosis).
iha
Value of this
.N

More cost efficient , as though screening costs money , it is much cheaper than caring for
severely affected children for rest of parent’s lives.
Carriers to faulty allele, have the option to take a decision regarding having a child:
Dr

1. Take the 1 in 4 risk of getting a diseased child, and have a family hoping the children inherit
normal healthy alleles.
2. decide not to have a child at all.
3. To get pregnant and undergo prenatal screening then take a decision .

Dr.NIhal Gabr 165


Genetic testing

A. Prenatal screening B. Preimplantation


genetic diagnosis
Chorionic villus
Amniocentesis
sampling

A. Prenatal screening

A. Amniocentesis

r
ab
lg • To find if unborn child has a disease:
1. Removing 20 cm3 of amniotic fluid
using needle and a syringe.
2. Done at week 16 of pregnancy
iha
3. Amnion sample taken has fetal
epithelial cells and blood cells .
Fetal DNA is Cultured for 2-3 weeks
.N

then screened.
Dr

Disadvantages Advantages

1. Done after 16 weeks (late in 1. Less


pregnancy) , results takes 2-3 miscarriage risk
weeks , so difficult on parents to
terminate pregnancy if
necessary( traumatic).

2. It carries0.5%-1% risk of
spontaneous abortion after the
procedure, regardless of genetic
status.

3. Not offered for all pregnant


women as test is expensive.

Dr.NIhal Gabr 166


B. Chorionic villus sampling:

• To find if unborn child has a disease:


1. Sample taken from developing
placenta between 8 and 12 weeks of
pregnancy.
2. Then DNA analysed for recessive
faulty allele

Advantages
Disadvantages
1. Carried earlier in
1. Sex-linked characteristic pregnancy, so if

r
( alleles on X chromosome) termination is
can’t be detected by this necessary , it is

ab
technique as all parental X physically less
chromosomes are inactivated traumatic for
in fetal placental cells. mother.
lg 2. There is 0.5-1%risk that 2. Results are
embryo may spontaneously available faster.
abort after the tissue sample 3. Larger sample
taken , though still the risk of taken allowing
miscarriage at this stage of wide testing
pregnancy is high anyway .
iha
range of genetic
diseases.

B. Preimplantation
genetic diagnosis
.N

• A parent already have a family history or child affected by genetic disease


Dr

• So they can carry preimplantation genetic diagnosis based on the technique of IVF.
• In this technique, the egg and sperm are fertilised outside the body.
• After few cell divisions, a single cell is removed from each embryo.
• Genetic make up is checked and only those embryos free of the problem alleles are
placed in the mother’s uterus to implant snd grow.
• This removes the faulty allele from the gene pool.
• In case of genetic diseases found only in boys such as (haemophilia) , only female
embryos would be implanted.

1. IVF requires the female to take high doses of hormones


Disadvantages which may be carcinogenic.
2. Not all people can afford to pay for IVF.

Dr.NIhal Gabr 167


r
ab
Problems with genetic testing:
lg
iha
A. Ethical B. Social

1. Risk of false positive or negative result


1. Social stigma of having disabled
.N

(inaccurate).
2. Healthy fetus may be aborted if false child.
positive result, 2. Cost implications to health service
Dr

3. May result in miscarriage/ spontaneous or individuals


abortion of fetus. 3. Social pressure.
4. Ethical concerns as its a potential 4. Religion issues
life(killing unethical).
5. Who has the right to decide if test should
be done and terminating life of fetus/fetus
has the right to life.

Problems with genetic testing:

1. This is when trained experts known as genetic counselors provide help


- By awarness of the disease and how to prepare / manage it.
- Helps indecision marking according to ethical ,social and religious issues.

Dr.NIhal Gabr 168


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

For women with cystic fibrosis, egg is produced but they find it difficult to
be fertile since thick, sticky mucus traps the cervix so the sperm cannot
reach the egg. Also, thick mucus blocks the oviduct so decreasing chance
of fertilization and implantation impaired due to mucus.

r
ab
lG
ha
3 January 2015 Code: WBI01/01
Ni Paper 1
2C.2. Patterns of inheritance
(4)
&
n
wa

Individual person 8 is
ag

homozygous recessive.
.N

Therefore, 5 and 6 are both


heterozygous.
Dr

The PKU disorder is a recessive genetic disorder meaning that in order for
individuals to express the phenotype, both alleles must be effected (i.e. homozygous
recessive). Therefore, if the offspring is affected this means that both parents have
the allele for PKU disorder, yet they are both unaffected so they have heterozygous
genotype.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 298


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

2C.2. Patterns of inheritance


(3)

The fact that both parents are heterozygous means that they both carry one
recessive allele in their genotype, therefore gametes produced contain either the
dominant or recessive allele. By using a punnet square, the probability of the child
being homozygous recessive is calculated, which would be 25%.

r
ab
lG
ha
Ni
&
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 300


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

Three samples of same mass are taken from the tubers (potatoes) of both DHAR-
modified plants and GDP-modified plants. Crush the samples and add distilled water to
extract vitamin C. Using same volume of extract, titrate using same concentration of
DCPIP, by adding DCPIP drop by drop to the extract solution until the blue color of the
DCPIP remains. Measure the volume of DCPIP used for the solution to remain blue (i.e.

r
ab
reach end point where all vitamin C has been oxidized). (Standardization) Repeat the

lG
titration procedure using 1% vitamin C solution and measure the volume of DCPIP used
for solution to remain blue, compare the volume of DCPIP used with that of the extract

ha
solutions from potato tubers. Then compare the vitamin C concentration in tubers
Ni
taken from both modified plants. Repeat and take avenge results. Points missing
2C.2 Patterns of inheritance •Grow both types of
&

plants under same


n

conditions
wa

•titrate DCPIP against


extract.
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 309


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

8 May 2017 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1


2C.2. Patterns of inheritance

Allele that is expressed only when the genotype is homozygous for that allele (i.e. allele
that is only expressed in the absence of dominant allele).
Points missing
•allele is an alternative form (i.e. version) of the same gene.

r
ab
lG
Genetic pedigree diagram shows the alleles in the parental gametes and the probability of

ha
them crossing together to give possible offspring genotypes that can result from the
Ni
combination of alleles during fertilization. The hemochromatosis is caused by recessive
homozygous genotype, where both alleles must be affected to show the phenotype.
&

Marking scheme points


•shows the family history where parents and genotypes for each generation are identified.
n
wa

•phenotypes are identified (allows identification of individuals with or without condition.


•for HC/recessive condition, two normal/unaffected parents any have one or more
ag

offsprings that are affected.


.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 313


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

9 January 2018 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1


2C.4. Cystic fibrosis (linked to 2A.6. The mammalian gas exchange system)
(2)

CFTR is a chloride ion channel protein

Cystic fibrosis is caused by a faulty (i.e. defective) allele, so the primary structure of synthesized
protein is different so different folding and coiling of polypeptide chain, which in turn changes the
tertiary structure of protein. So the CFTR protein cannot function properly and so will not allow
movement of chloride ions out of cells. Also, sodium channels are not inhibited so sodium ions

r
ab
move into epithelial cells so cells become hypertonic to mucus so water leaves the mucus into cells
by osmosis. So mucus becomes thick and sticky so cilia cannot beat and therefore, cannot move

lG
mucus away from airways (i.e. bronchi and bronchioles), thus reducing air flow to the alveoli, so
reducing ventilation which in turn reduces the concentration gradient between the alveoli and the

ha
blood which leads to reduced gas exchange, where less oxygen moves into blood from the alveoli
Ni
and less carbon dioxide moves into the alveoli.
2C.5. Genetic screening
&
(2)
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 315


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

10 May 2018 Code: WBI01/01 Paper 1


2C.1. Gene mutation

Alteration in DNA by sudden random change the the base sequence of DNA.

r
ab
2C.4. Cystic fibrosis
(6)

lG
ha
Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disorder which is caused by faulty (i.e.
Ni
defective) allele carried on autosome. Where a person requires two forms of the
&
same gene (i.e. two faulty alleles) to show the phenotype (in absence of dominant
allele). So the parents might be carriers for the disease, meaning that they have
n

heterozygous genotype. Where both parental gametes had recessive allele so the
wa

child had homozygous recessive allele and so showed phenotype of cystic fibrosis.
ag

Points missing
•cystic fibrosis causes abnormal non functional CFTR protein
.N

•also, mutation may have occurred in formation of gametes (i.e. post fertilization)
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 317


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

r
ab
As age increases from 5 to 25 years, the percentage of people with cystic

lG
fibrosis infected with P.aeruginosa bacterium increases by 48%, the percentage
then remains constant in 35 years group at 82% then decreases by 7% in 45
years group.
ha
Ni
Where as age increases from 5 to 15 years, the percentage of people with cystic
fibrosis infected with S.aureus bacterium increases by 3%, it then showed
&

continuous decrease as it decreased by 20% in the 45 years group from 15


n

years old group.


wa
ag

Cystic fibrosis affects the production of mucus where mucus becomes thick and
.N

sticky so cilia lining airways cannot beat, and so cannot move mucus away from
Dr

bronchi and bronchioles. Where mucus traps dust and bacteria as well as it
provides optimum conditions for bacterial growth so bacteria replicates
increasing the susceptibility to lung infection.
Person starts coughing to remove mucus which will damage cells lining airways.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 318


(b) (i) Suggest how the function of the CFTR protein will be affected by a class IV mutation.
(2)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA

Class IV mutation affects the movement of chloride ions out of cells.


. . . . . . . . . . . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Where CFTR is a chloride ion channel protein where mutation in CFTR


. . . . . . . . . . . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

causes accumulation of chloride ions in epithelial cells as chloride ions


. . . . . . . . . . . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

cannot pass through channel protein into mucus.


. . . . . . . . . . . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

. . . . . . . . . . . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

. . . . . . . . . . . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

(ii) Suggest how the CFTR protein is broken down in a class VI mutation.
(2)

CFTR is a protein where protease enzyme can hydrolyze and break


. . . . . . . . . . . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA

the protein into amino acids.


. . . . . . . . . . . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

By breaking down peptide bonds.


. . . . . . . . . . . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

. . . . . . . . . . . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

. . . . . . . . . . . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

. . . . . . . . . . . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..


DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA

17
*P54656A01724* Turn over
Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

Point mutation (i.e. substitution) involves the change in one base of DNA sequence, which may
have one of three effect. The base substitution may be silent mutation where the defective
codon, codes for the same amino acid (i.e. degenerate codon coding for same amino acid). The
base substitution may be non sense where the defective codon codes for stop codon (i.e. stop
signal) so the new poly peptide formed will be shorter. The base substitution may be missense
where the defective codon codes for different amino acid.

r
Deletion involves one

ab
2C.2. Patterns of inheritance nucleotide in the DNA
(8)
sequence being missed out so

lG
the reading frame is shifted

ha
backwards one place, the
entire base sequence after
Ni
A person can be shown to have the disorder, either by showing the mutation is changed where all
phenotype which is reduced levels of urea in their urine or by genetic
&
triplets after the mutation are
screening to show their genotype.
affected so the entire gene is
n

Points missing altered coding for different


wa

•blood test/biochemical test protein, where all amino acids


•pedigree analysis/family history coded for after mutation are
ag

different. Insertion involves


.N

one nucleotide in the DNA


sequence being inserted
Dr

twice thus, shifting the


reading frame forward one
place.
The closer the deletion or
insertion to the start of the
sequence the greater the effect
as more triplet codes are
changed.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 331


Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

Cystic fibrosis is a serious genetic disorder caused by gene mutation which results in
the production of faulty (i.e. defective) allele that causes the synthesis of protein with
different primary structure, so the tertiary structure of protein is different, resulting in
non functional protein. Where CFTR channel protein does not does not allow the
movement of chloride ions outside epithelial cells so they accumulate inside cells. Also,
sodium channels are not inhibited so sodium moves into epithelial cells, thus lowering
the water potential inside cells where cytoplasm becomes hypertonic to the mucus. So

r
water moves out of the mucus into the cells. So the mucus becomes thick and sticky so

ab
cilia cannot beat and so cannot move mucus away from airways so mucus

lG
accumulates in airways, containing trapped particles of dust and bacteria. Where
mucus provides optimum conditions for bacterial growth so bacteria replicates causing

ha
infection where muscles become inflamed. Ni
2C.5. Genetic screening
(8)
&
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Parents who are carriers carry out preimplantation genetic diagnosis where only healthy fetus are
implanted into uterus or decide not to have children.

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 335


8a)
ii) Cystic fibrosis causes reduced diameter of the lumen, thicker or inflamed muscle as well as
more mucus.
Where cystic fibrosis results in the production of thigh and sticky mucus due to mutation in the
CFTR gene (so faulty CFTR allele). The CFTR protein is not functioning properly, affecting
the transfer of chloride ions so water moves out of mucus.
Diameter of lumen is reduced due to the build up of mucus, where cilia cannot beat so cannot
move mucus away as it is too thick.
Mucus is sticky so traps bacteria, where bacteria has ideal growth conditions in mucus so
bacteria replicates causing infections. Infection damages cells lining airways leading to
inflammation of muscles.
Biology Topic 2: Membranes, proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

r
ab
lG
Unethical to kill potential life.
Risk of false positive or negative diagnosis.

ha
Healthy fetus may be aborted. Ni
Risk of miscarriage or spontaneous abortion.
No one has the right to decide whether the fetus should live or not.
&
n
wa
ag
.N
Dr

Dr.Nagwan Gabr& Dr. Nihal Gabr 336

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