KENYA METHODIST UNIVERSITY

END OF 1ST TRIMESTER 2016 (PT) EXAMINATION

SCHOOL : MEDICINE & HEALTH SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT : MEDICAL LABORATORY

UNIT CODE : BIOC 201

UNIT TITLE : BIOCHEMISTRY

TIME : 2 HOURS

Instructions:
Answer all the questions in section A, B and only two questions in
section C

SECTION A: (20 MARKS)

Question One
Which enzyme is elevated in patients with abdominal lesions, perforated
peptic ulcer and intestinal obstruction?
a) CK Isoenzymes
b) Lipases
c) Amylase
d) Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes.

Question Two
Some proteins provide defense against invasion by foreign organisms
a) fibrinogen
b) antibodies

Page 1 of 7
c) collagen
d) elastin

Question Three
Identify the FALSE statement
a) DNA molecule consists of two helical strands which are coiled around
a common axis to form a right-handed double helix.
b) DNA molecules are less organized compared to RNA.
c) MRNA transfer genetic information from the nucleus to cytoplasm
where protein synthesis occurs.
d) DNA molecule consists of two helical strands which are coiled around
a common axis to form a right-handed double helix

Question Four
Which one of the following is an AROMATIC amino acid?
a) Proline
b) Valine
c) Alanine
d) Tyrosine

Question Five
Which one of the following is NOT a homopolysaccharide?
a) Starch
b) Pectin
c) Glycogen
d) Cellulose

Question Six
Which of the following statements is not TRUE?
a) Proteins with catalytic activity serve as enzymes
b) Cellulose and pectin form cell wall matrix in animal cells
c) Cephalin plays a role in blood clotting process

Page 2 of 7
d) Nucleotides are the repeating units in nucleic acids
Question Seven
The following are enzyme specificities EXCEPT:
a) Absolute specificity
b) Partial specific
c) Group specificity
d) Stereochemical specificity

Question Eight
Which amino acid gives the fibrous structure of collagen, and interrupts the
α-helices found in globular proteins?
a) phenylalanine
b) Valine
c) threonine
d) proline.

Question Nine
The following are bases of RNA except:
a) Guanine
b) Adenine
c) Cytosine
d) Uracil
e) Thymine

Question Ten
Which of the following statements is not true about polysaccharides?
a) Yield more than six molecules of monosaccharide on hydrolysis.
b) Are only sparingly soluble in cold water
c) Form colloidal solutions when heated with water.
d) They have sweet taste.

Page 3 of 7
Question Eleven
All of the following statements are correct for enzymes. Except:
a) Enzymes alters equilibrium constant of the reaction which they
catalyze
b) Enzymes are proteins
c) They are grouped in to 6 classes
d) Enzymes speed up chemical reactions by lowering energy of activation

Question Twelve
A nitrogenous base joined to sugar without phosphoric acid is called?
a) mononucleotide
b) Nucleoside
c) pyrimidines
d) Nucleotide

Question Thirteen
Which of following amino acids has a positive imidazole group which
facilitates the enzyme-catalyzed reaction by serving as a proton
donor/acceptor?
a) Arginine
b) Lysine
c) Histidine
d) Cysteine

Question Fourteen
The following are conjugated proteins except:
a) nucleoproteins
b) Glycoproteins
c) globulins
d) metalloproteins

Page 4 of 7
Question Fifteen
2. Which polysaccharide cannot be attacked by digestive enzymes
a) Amylase
b) Starch
c) glycogen
d) Cellulose

Question Sixteen
Which class of enzymes facilities internal change of atoms within a molecule
a) Isomerases
b) Ligases
c) Oxidoreductases
d) Hydrolases

Question Seventeen
Two sugars which differ from each other only in configuration around a
single asymmetric carbon other than the carbonyl carbon are known as
a) epimers
b) isomers
c) anomers
d) heteropolysaccharides

Question Eighteen
Which of the following is not a compound lipid?
a) lecithin
b) cerebrosides
c) Heparin
d) Cephalins

Question Nineteen

Page 5 of 7
---------- transfers genetic information from the nucleus to cytoplasm where
protein synthesis occurs.
a) Messenger RNA
b) Transfer RNA
c) Ribosomal RNA
d) Ribonucleic acid

Question Twenty
Cellulose cannot be attacked by digestive enzymes because?
a) Has a ß configuration at C-1
b) Highly branched
c) Has a ß configuration at C-2
d) ß-1,4 glycosidic linkages

SECTION B (40 Marks)

Question One
Highlight the effects of snake venom on mammalian phospholipids.
(4 Marks)
Question Two
Outline the biological functions of proteins. (5 Marks)

Question Three
Discuss the proposed models of enzyme action (6 Marks)

Question Four
State the differences between deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid
(5 Marks)
Question Five
Giving the structure, explain the mechanism of action of azidothymidine
(AZT)/ zidovudine in treatment of HIV. (5 Marks)

Question Six

Page 6 of 7
Differentiate nucleosides and nucleotides giving examples of each. (5 Marks)

Question Seven
Describe different types of ribonucleic acid. (5 Marks)

Question Eight
Explain the peptide bond formation. (5 Marks)

SECTION C (40 Marks)

Question One
Discuss the structural levels of proteins giving examples where appropriate
(20 Marks)
Question Two
Discuss mechanisms involved in regulation of enzyme catalysed reactions
(20 Marks)
Question Three
Eicosanoids function as local hormones, they act on several organs and
produce physiological as well as pharmacological effects. Discuss. (20 Marks)

Page 7 of 7