DAVAO MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY
LIPID CHEMISTRY / LIPID METABOLISM
OBJECTIVE:
A. The students must be able to describe the chemical
nature and properties of the different types of lipids and
relate them to their cellular functions
B.

The students must understand the biosynthesis and

catabolism of the commonly occurring lipid in human
cells and explain the biochemical basis of diseases
associated with abnormalities in lipid transport and
metabolism

1. Of the following lipoproteins, which one is inversely related to

the incidence of coronary atherosclerosis?
a. chylomicron
b. high density lipoprotein
c.
intermediate lipoprotein
d.
low density lipoprotein
e.
very low density lipoprotein
( HARPERs 25th ch 27 pp 268-271)
2. . In the shuttle of mitochondrial acetyl coenzyme A to the cytosol
for fatty acid synthesis, in which step generates
NADPH?
a. oxaloacetate + acetyl coenzyme A citrate
b. oxaloacetate malate
c. malate pyruvate
d. pyruvate oxaloacetate
e. citrate - coenzyme A oxaloacetate - acetyl
coenzyme A
( Harpers ch 24 pp238-239)
3. The lipoprotein that serves to transport triacylglycerol from the
liver to the different extrahepatic tissues:
a. chylomicrons
b. high density lipoproteins
c. intermediate density lipoproteins
d. low density lipoproteins
e. very low density lipoproteins
(Harpers Ch 27 p 268-271)
4. . Which of the following apolipoproteins serves as inhibitor of
lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT)?
a. apolipoprotein A-II
b. apolipoprotein A-IV
c. apolipoprotein B-48
d. apolipoprotein C-I
e. apolipoprotein C-II
( Harpers ch 27 pp 270-271)
5. . In the following steps in ketone bodies metabolism, NADH is
generated in:
a. acetoacetate acetone
b. acetoacetate beta hydroxybutyrate
c. acetoacetyl coenzyme A + acetyl coenzyme A
HMG coenzyme A
d. beta hydroxybutyrate acetoacetate
e. HMG coenzyme A acetoacetate + acetyl
coenzyme A
( Harpers ch 24 p 244-245)
6. Human body synthesize cholesterol de novo from acetyl
coenzyme A. Cholesterol synthesis occurs in which of
the
following organelles?
a. cytosol
b. endoplasmic reticulum
c. golgi apparatus
d. mitochondria
e. ribosomes
( Harpers ch 28 p285)
7. . Among the following apolipoproteins, which one serves as
lipid transfer protein?
a. apolipoprotein A-IV
b. apolipoprotein B-100
c. apolipoprotein C-III
d. apolipoprotein D
e. apolipoprotein E
( Harpers ch 27 p 271)
8. Among the following conditions, which one is characterized by
pathologic
accumulation of galactocerebroside in the affected tissues.
a. Farber's Disease
b. Fabry's Disease
c. Gaucher's Disease
d. Krabbe's Disease
e. Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
( Harpers ch 27 p 267t)
9. . Which of the lipoproteins has the highest triacylglycerol
content?

a. chylomicrons
b. high density lipoproteins
c. intermediate density lipoproteins
d. low density lipoproteins
e. very low density lipoproteins
(Harpers Ch 27 p 268-271)
10. . Ketone bodies maybe synthesized from fatty acids by which of the
following organs or cells?
a. skeletal muscle
b. liver
c. kidney
d. erythrocytes
e. brain
(Harpers ch 24 p242)
11. Spontaneous decarboxylation of acetoacetate results in the
formation of:
a. acetone
b. acetyl coenzyme A
c. 3-hydroxybutyrate
d. malonyl coenzyme A
e. propionate
( Harpers ch 24 p 242-243)
12. Which of the lipoproteins has the highest total lipid content?
a. chylomicrons
b. high density lipoproteins
c. intermediate density lipoproteins
d. low density lipoproteins
e. very low density lipoproteins
( Harpers p 268)
13. The major site of fatty acid synthesis:
a. mammary gland
b. liver
c. kidney
d. brain
e. adipose tissue
(Harpers ch 23 p 230-231)
14. Of the following lipoproteins, which one is elevated in Type I
Hyperlipidemia?
a. chylomicrons
b. high density lipoproteins
c. intermediate density lipoproteins
d. low density lipoproteins
e. very low density lipoproteins
(Harpers Ch 27 p 268-271)
15. Of the following lipids, which one is accumulated is tissues of
patient with
Tay-Sachs Disease?
a. ceramide trihexoside
b. galactocerebroside sulfate
c. ganglioside
d. glucoceberoside
e. sphingomyelin
(Harpers p 267)
16. In the separation of plasma lipoprotein by electrophoresis on
agarose gel, which fraction is located closest to
the negative pole?
a. chylomicrons
b. HDL
c. LDL
d. VLDL
e. Triglycerides
(Harpers Ch 27 p 268-271)

17. During uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or starvation, which of the

following organs utilizes ketone bodies as
much as 75% for its
energy substrate?
a. Heart
b. Brain
c. Kidney
d. Skeletal muscles
( Harpers ch 29
p 301)
18. In the biosynthesis of fatty acids, what is the compound that
transports the acetate group out of the mitochondria into the
cytoplasm
a. pyruvate
b. malate
c. citrate
d. acyl carnitine
e. acyl coenzyme A
(Harpers
ch 23 p 236)
19. Activation of medium chain and short fatty acids occurs in the
a. Ribosomes
b. Mitochondrial matrix
c. Golgi apparatus
d. Endoplasmic reticulum
e. Cytosol
(Harpers
pp 238-239)

20. The committed step in fatty acid synthesis is the formation of

a. Acetyl coenzyme A
b. Acetyl acyl carrier protein
c. Malonyl coenzyme A
d. Malonyl acyl carrier protein ( Harpers Ch
23 pp 230)

a. 4 hours
b. 12 hours
c. 24 hours
d. 48 hours
(Harpers pp214-217)
C. BIOENERGETICS and BIOLOGICAL OXIDATION

B. Carbohydtrate chemistry/ Carbohydrate metabolism

a)

b)

OBJECTIVES:
The student must be able to describe adequately the
chemical properties of carbohydrates and relate them to
their cellular function
The students must describe the interrelationships
between the various pathways of carbohydrate
metabolism and explain the biochemical basis of
diseases resulting from impairment of carbohydrate
metabolism

1. a D glucose and a L glucose are

a. Anomers
b. Epimers
c. Tautomers
d. Enantiomers
(Berg et al
BIOCHEMISTRY 5TH ED p 296)
2. This sugar derivative is produced by the reduction of the
carbonyl group on a monosaccaharide
a. sorbitol
b. glucoronic acid
c. glycoside
d. gluconic acid
( Harpers Ch 15 p 153)
3. Of the following hexoses, which is a constituent of glycolipids
and glycoproteins?
a. glucose
b. galactose
c. fructose
d. xylulose
( Harpers ch 56 p 676-677)
4. Which of the following glycosaminoglycans are found in large
amount in cartilages
a. Dermatan sulfate
b. Keratan sulfate
c. Choindroitin sulfate
d. Heparan sulfate
e. Hyaluronic acid
( Harpers Ch 57 p 704)
5. The compound that is the probable causative factor in the
development of cataract in patients with diabetes mellitus
a. Dulcitol
b. Fructose 1-phosphate
c. galactose 1-phosphate
d. glucose 1-phosphate
e. sorbitol
( Harpers p 228-229)

OBJECTIVES:
1. The students must understand the energy
transformations known
to occur in cells
1. The net ATP generated in the complete oxidation of betahydroxybutyrate is:
a. 12 ATPs
b. 23 ATPs
c. 26 ATPs
d. 36 ATPs
e. 129 ATPs (Harpers chapter 24)
2. The number of NADPH required in complete synthesis of one (1)
mole of palmitic acid
a. 7
b. 8
c. 12
d. 14
e. 16
(Harpers chapter 23)
3. Major source of ATP in aerobic organisms
a. direct phosphorylation
b. substrate level phosphorylation
c. ATP adenylation
d. Oxidative phosphorylation
ch 14 p137)

4. The primary pathway for the oxidation of glucose

a. Embden Myerhoff pathway
b. Sorbitol pathway
c. Tricarboxylic acid pathway
d. Pentose phosphate pathway
(Harpers ch 17 p
173)
5. In the complete oxidation of one (1) mole of palmitic acid to CO2
and H2O, the total number of ATP generated is
a. 12
b. 24
c. 36
d. 129
e. 131
(Harpers
Ch 23)

6. Synonymous with Krebs cycle

a. Pentose phosphate pathway
b. Citric acid cyle
c. Oxidative phosphorylation
d. Embden myerhoff pathway
ch 18 p 182f)
6. The glycogen storage disease resulting from the deficiency of
muscle phosphorylase
a. Pompes disease
b. McArdles disease
c. Hers disease
d. Forbes disease
e. Andersens disease
(Harpers ch 20 p
206t)
7. What is the major energy source for spermatozoa in seminal
fluid?
a. Fructose
b. galactose
c. glucose
d. ketone bodies
e. xylulose
8. A patient is diagnosed as having von Gierkes disease is likely to
exhibit which of the following clinical
manifestations
a. an enlarged liver
b. hyperglycemia
c. hypolipidemia
d. hypouricemia
(Harpers Ch 36 p 397)
9. This enzyme is common to both glycolysis and gluconeogenesis
.a Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate
dehydrogenase
.b glucose 6-phosphatase
.c pyruvate kinase
.d pyruvate carboxylase
(Harpers p 194/211)

(Harpers

7. Anaerobic glycolysis produces how many moles of ATP per mole of

glucose?
a. 2
b. 6
c. 8
d. 12
e. 24
(Harpers
ch 19 p 190-191)
8. Rate limiting enzyme and the major regulatory enzyme in glycolysis
a. triose phosphate isomerase
b. glyceride 3-phosphate dehydrogenase
c. phosphofructokinase
d. aldolase
(Harpers
p 191/194)
9. Enzyme that links glycolysis and the citric acid cycle
a. Pyruvate dehydrogenase
b. Isocitrate dehydrogenase
c. Alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase
d. Succinate dehydrogenase
ch 29 pp 298)

(Harpers

10. Oxidative phosphorylation is carried out by respiratory assembly

located in
a. mitochondrial matrix
b. inner mitochondrial membrane
c. endoplasmic reticulum
d. cytosol
( Harpers pp 126/
137.)
D. Protein and amino acid chemistry/ metabolism

10. In humans, liver glycogen stores are adequate up to how

many hours without support from gluconeogenesis?

(Harpers

OBJECTIVES:

1.

2.

The student must be able to describe

the chemical structure and properties of
proteins and amino acids
The student must be able to understand
the principles of amino acid and protein
metabolism so they can relate and apply
such knowledge to the study of human
health and diseases

1. Which of the following amino acid functional group pairs is not

correct
a) arginine:guanidine
b) histidine:imidazole
c) phenylalanine: hydroxyphenyl
d) tryptophan : indole
e) cysteine : sulfhydryl
(Harpers p 29)
2.Helical formation or Helix is a characteristic of what protein
structure?
a. primary
b. secondary
c. tertiary
d. quaternary
e. all of the above
(Harpers p 49)
3. Which of the following amino acids serve as the major mode of
disposing
ammonia from the brain?
a. alanine
b. glutamine
c. threonine
d. serine
e. valine
(Harpers p
308/317)
4. Among the following amino acids, which one is converted to
pyruvate through transamination reaction?
a. alanine
b. methionine
c. threonine
d. valine
( Harpers
pp315-316)
5. Which of the following amino acids is convertible to pyruvate by
direct deamination?
a. alanine
b. cysteine
c. glycine
d. serine
e. threonine

6.The amino acid precursor of catecholamines:

a. glycine
b. proline
c. threonine
d. tryptophan
e. tyrosine
( Harpers p 354)
7. Among the following amino acids, which one is purely
ketogenic?
a. isoleucine
b. leucine
c. phenylalanine
d. threonine
e. tryptophan
( Harpers
Chapter 4)
8. Urea is the major pathway of nitrogen excretion in humans. It is
synthesized in the:
a. brain
b. intestine
c. kidney
d. liver
e. skeletal muscle
( Harpers
pp315)
9. Among the intermediates in urea cycle, which one provides the
linkage of urea cycle and the citric acid cycle?
a. Alpha ketoglutarate
b. aspartate
c. fumarate
d. malate
e. oxaloacetate
(Harpers pp319-321)
10. The following amino acid is GLYCOGENIC ONLY
a. aspartate
b. isoleucine
c. leucine
d. lysine
e. tyrosine
( Harpers Chapter
4)
11. Disorder of amino acid metabolism characterized by Maple
Syrup urine odor:
a.
Alkaptonuria

b.
c.
d.

Isovaleic Acidemia
Menkes Disease
Phenylketonuria

12. What is the Isoelectric pH of albumin?

a. 4.2
b. 4.7
c. 4.9
d. 5.2
e. 5.7
13. The main mode of linkage in primary protein structure is
a. hydrogen bonds
b. peptide bonds
c. salt bonds
d. covalent disulfide bonds
e. van der waals
(Harpers p 49)
14. Which of the following amino acids contain indole functional group?
a. Arginine
b. Histidine
c. Phenylalanine
d. Tryptophan
e. Tyrosine
(Harpers p 29)
15. A biochemical technique used to separate molecules based on both
size and charge
a. gel electrophoresis
b. spectrophotometry
c. ultracentrifugation
d. paper chromatography
( Harpers P48/53)
16. Which of the following enzymes funnel amino nitrogen from
glutamate to urea?
a. glutamate transaminase
a. alanine transaminase
b. amino acid oxidase
c. glutamate dehydratase
d. glutamate dehydrogenase
(Harpers
pp319-321)

17. Amino acid precursor of serotonin

a. alanine
b. aspartate
c. tryptophan
d. methionine
e. tyrosine
18. The metabolism of the following amino acid leads to the production
of small amounts of nicotinic acid in
humans
a. cysteine
b. methionine
c. serine
d. tryptophan
e. valine
( Harpers chapter 42)
19. A metabolite of the following amino acid is a substrate for
branched-chain keto-acid dehydrogenase
a. arginine
b. lysine
c. methionine
d. proline
e. valine
( Harpers chapter 4)
20. Which of the following is a non essential amino acid?
a. leucine
b. tyrosine
c. lysine
d. methionine
e. valine
( Harpers chapter 4)
D. Nucleic acid chemistry/metabolism/ Genetics
OBJECTIVES:
1. The student should be able to describe the
structural organization of nucleosides, nucleotides
and nucleic acids and relate them to their cellular
functions
2. The students should discuss and understand
the
biochemical basis of diseases resulting from
impairment in
the biosynthetic and catabolic pathways of purine and
pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism
1. The most abundant free nucleotide in mammalian cells
a.
Adenosine diphosphate
b.
Cyclic AMP
c.
Adenosine triphosphate
d.
Adenosine monophosphate
e.
Phosphoadenosine phosphosulfate
( HARPERS 25th p. 379)
2. A purine analog which is widely used in the treatment of gout
a. aspirin

b. azathioprine
c. allopurinol
d. 5-iododeoxyuridine
e. 5-flourouracil
(HARPERS CH 35 p-382)
3. Okasaki fragments are
a. short non coding DNA segments
b. short DNA fragments attached to RNA primers
during replication
c. produced when histone biosynthesis is inhibited
d. mitochondrial DNA fragments complexed with histones
(HARPERS CH 38 p- 424)

3. Nonfunctional serum enzyme that is diagnostic of obstructive liver

diseases.
A. acid phosphatase
B. alanine aminotransferase
C. alkaline phosphatase
D. aspartate aminotransferase
E. ceruloplasmin
4. Carbonic anhydrase requires which metal ion as cofactor
a. iron
b. zinc
c. magnesium
d. copper
e. sodium,

4. RNA and DNA diifer from each other , in that:

a. in DNA, the nucleotides run 5 to 3 direction
b. in RNA, the sugar is linked to the base by an Nglycosidic linkage
c. In RNA, the sugar is D-ribose
d. in DNA, thymine is found instead of uracil
( HARPERS CH 37 p 406)

5. In the effects of substrate concentration on reaction velocity, when

substrate concentration is low
a. the reaction velocity is zero order
b. the reaction velocity is first-order
c. the reaction velocity is second order
d. the reaction velocity is mixed order

5. Detection of purines and pyrimidines can be done because of

their strong absorption of UV light at this
wavelength
a. 260nm
b. 650 nm
c. 400nm
d. 600 nm
(HARPERS p-290)

6. Which of the following is the target enzyme of an anti inflammatory

drug, aspirin?
a. xanthine oxidase
b. transpeptidase
c. HMG CoA reductase
d. Cyclooxygenase
e. Monoamine oxidase

6. In genetic diseases, the primary defect resides in this

organelle
a. endoplasmic reticulum
b. nucleus
c. cytoplasm
d. mitochondria
( HARPERS CH 63 P-813)

7.

A PURINE BASE
a. cytosine
b. guanine
c. uracil
d. thymine

( HARPERs ch 37 p 402)

8. Serves as the carrier of genetic information to the site of protein

synthesis
a. mRNA
b. tRNA
c. rRNA
d. snRNA
(HARPERs ch37 p 407)
9. A synthetic nucleotide analog which exhibits antiviral activity
useful in the treatment of herpetic keratitis
a. azathioprine
b. 5-iododeoxyuridine
c. cytarabine
d. mercaptopurine
( HARPERs p 383)
10. Nucleotide derivative that acts as secondary messenger
a. ATP
b. ADP
c. c-AMP
d. c-GMP
e. GTP
( HARPERs CH 35 p-380)
E. ENZYMES
OBJECTIVES:
1. The students must appreciate hoe protein
structures of enzymes
have been specifically designed to allow the
catalytic action of
enzymes in metabolic reactions
2. The students must understand the role of enzymes
in metabolic
regulation and their importance as diagnostic aids
and therapeutic
tools
1. Two constants are always measured whenever an enzyme is
characterized. These are:
a. K1 and Km
b. Km and Vmax
c. Q10 and Vo
d. Vmax and Q10
e.
Vo and K1
(Harpers pp 95 ff )
2. Group of enzymes that catalyze the addition or removal of water,
ammonia or carbon dioxide to double bonds:
a. hydrolases
b. isomerases
c. ligases
d. lyases
e. oxidoreductases

7. Effect of uncompetitive inhibitors to the Maximum velocity (Vmax)

and Michaelis constant (Km)
a. Vmax - none : Km increases
b. Vmax decreases : Km decreases
c. Vmax decreases : Km - none
d. Vmax decreases : Km- increases
e. Vmax increase : Km none
(Harpers pp 95 ff )
8. The quantitative value of the Michaelis constant or Km, is a measure
of
a. the optimum condition present in the cell
b. relative affinity between the substrate and enzyme
c. the velocity of the biochemical reaction
d. the concentration of the enzyme present
(Harpers pp 95 ff )
9. This enzyme is valuable in the diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma of
the prostate gland.
a. ceruloplasmin
b. alkaline phosphatase
c. lactate dehydogenase
d. acid phosphatase
e. aspartate aminotransferase
10. A group of enzymes that join two molecules along with breakdown
of a pyrophosphate (P-P) bond
a. ligase
b. isomerase
c. lyase
d. transferase
F. HORMONES/ Hormone actions
OBJECTIVES:
1. The students must understand the structures,
properties and the roles of hormones in the
maintenance of normal body metabolism
1. Among the following hormones, which one possess antiinflammatory effect mediated through the inhibitory
arachidonic acid release?
a. adrenaline
b. glucagon
c. glucocorticosteroid
d. insulin
e. thyroxine

effect on

2. Of the following, which is a C-19 steroid?

a. cholic acid
b. cortisol
c. estradiol
d. progesterone
e. testosterone
( Harpers 577-578)
3. . Which of the following hormones is aromatic?
a. aldosterone
b. cortisol
c. estradiol
d. progesterone
e. testosterone
( Harpers p 577)
4. In the synthesis of estradiol which of the following hormone is its
immediate
precursor?
a. androstenedione
b. corticosterone
c. pregnenolone

d.
e.

progesterone
testosterone

d.
e.

( Harpers pp599-601)

5. Site of aldosterone secretion in the adrenal cortex:

a. zona fasciculata
b. zona granulosa
c. zona intima
d. zona pellucida
e. zona reticularis
6. Which of the following is a C-24 steroid?
a. chenodeoxycholic acid
b. cortisol
c. estradiol
d. progesterone
e. testosterone
(Harpers p 292)

7. Of the following hormones, which one is an essential

requirement for triacyglycerol synthesis in the adipose tissue?
a. adrenaline
b. cortisol
c. glucagon
d. insulin
e. thyroxine
(Harpers p246)
8. In the adipose tissue, which of the following hormones
enhances the synthesis
of lipoprotein lipase?
a. cortisol
b. epinephrine
c. glucagons
d. insulin
e. progesterone
( Harpers p 246)
9. The urinary metabolite used in the diagnosis of Adrenal
Pheochromocytoma:
a. hydroxyindoleacetic acid (HIAA)
b. hydroxytryptamine
c. hydroxytryptophan
d. normetanephrine
e. vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)
(Harpers p 593)
10. . Which of the following is a C-18 steroid?
f.
chenodeoxycholic acid
g. cortisol
h. estradiol
i.
progesterone
j.
testosterone
p577)

( Harpers

E. VITAMINS AND MINERALS

OBJECTIVES:
1. The students must understand clearly the nutritional
aspects of vitamins
and minerals and appreciate their role in the maintenance
of normal
body functions
2. The students must correlate the clinical disorders that will
result from
the deficiency and excesses of these vitamins with their
metabolic roles
in the body.
1.

An important anti oxidant because it inhibits the

formation of nitrosamines during digestion
a. retinol
b. ascorbic acid
c. tocopherol
d. retinoic acid
e. cobalamin
(Harpers
pp640-641)

2.

Deficiency of this may lead to anemia in the

prematures due to red blood cell hemolysis
a. Vit A
b. Vit D
c. Vit E
d. Vit C
e. Vit K
(Harpers pp
647-648)

3.

A cofactor of an important enzyme of the pentose

phosphate pathway, transketolase
a. Thiamine
b. Biotin
c. Niacin
d. Riboflavin
e. Pantothenic acid
(Harpers pp 627)

4.

Functions as a cofactor to a carboxylase that acts

on glutamate residues of clotting factor precursor
proteins
a. Vitamin A
b. Vitamin C
c. Vitamiin E

Vitamin K
Biotin

( Harpers PP 649)

5.

A polyisoprenoid compound containing a cyclohexenyl

ring
a. Folic acid
b. Pyridoxine
c. Ascorbic acid
d. Retinol
e. Biotin
( Harpers p 642)

6.

The earliest clinical symptom of Vitamin A deficiency

a. defective night vision
b. xerophtalmia
c. presence of Bitots spots
d. Keratomalacia
e. Xerosis conjunctivae
(Harpers
p 643)

7.
This vitamin is important in the regulation of calcium and
phosphate metabolism
a. Vitamin A
b. Vitamin E
c. Thiamin
d. Folic acid
e. Vitamin D
( Harpers p
645)
8. If a patient exhibits low activity of propionyl CoA carboxylase,
therapeutic
doses of which of the following might be beneficial?
a. carnitine
b. pantothenic acid
c. biotin
d. riboflavin
e. niacin
( Harpers p 635)
9. Strict vegetarians are susceptible to this kind of vitamin
deficiency
a. pantothenic acid
b. cobalamin
c. folacin
d. niacin
e. pyridoxine
( Harpers p 635)
10. . Of the following, which is the most potent form of vitamin D?
a. ergosterol
b. cholecalciferol
c. 7-dehydrocholesterol
d.
25-hydroxycholecalciferol
e. 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol
( Harpers p
647)