Universal Science College

(B. Sc. Biochemistry)

First Semester 2002
Second Term Exam Full Marks: 100
Subject: Biochemistry Pass Marks: 50
Date: 12 Jan, 2003 Time: 3 hours

Group - A

Answer any three questions. Questions are of equal value. 3 × 14=42

a. Enumerate the principles of molecular logic of life.
b. Describe the evolution and structure of prokaryotic cells.
c. Briefly describe the general synthesis of Biomolecules of a cell.
d. Derive the expression relating pH, pK and buffer concentration. Draw a titration curve of
glycine.
Group B

Answer any six questions. Questions are of equal value. 6 × 7 = 42

1. Show how catabolism and anabolism are coupled in a cell.
2. Describe the transfer of biological information in a cell.
3. Discuss the roles of endoplasmic reticulum and vacuoles in a cell.
4. Some neurons have long, thin extensions (axons) as long as 2m. Small membrane vesicles
carrying materials essential to axonal function move along microtubules from the cell body to
the tip of the axon by kinesin-dependent “Fast axonal transport.” If the average velocity of a
vesicle is 1 m/s, how long does it take a vesicle to move the 2m, from cell body to axonal
tip? What are the possible advantages of this ATP-dependent process over simple diffusion to
move materials to the axonal tip?
5. Describe at least three types of chemical transformations that occur in a cell.
6. Drug Activity and Stereochemistry. The quantitative differences in biological activity
between the two enantiomers of a compound are sometimes quite large. For example the D-
isomer of the drug isoproterenol used to treat mild asthma, is 50 to 80 times more effective as
a bronchodilator than the L-isomer. Identify the chiral centre in isoproterenol .Why would the
two enantiomers have such radically different bioactivity?
7. What are non-covalent interactions? Discuss their significance in determining three-
dimensional structures of Biomolecules.
8. Define buffers. Describe the mechanism of phosphate and bicarbonate buffers in maintaining
pH of body fluid.

Group – C

Answer any eight questions. Questions are of equal value. 8 × 2 = 16

1. Write the structure of ATP.
2. Genetic mutation
3. Open and isothermal system
4. Exergonic and endergonic reaction
5. Gap junction
6. Amphipathic nature of plasma membrane
7. Plasmid
8. Semi-autonomy of mitochondrion
9. Enantiomers
10. Stereospecificity
11. Conformation
12. pK
13. Optimum pH
14. Ionic product of water
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