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Question 1
Correct
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In the presence of oxygen , lactate that was produced under anaerobic conditions is converted to:
Your Answer: Pyruvate
Explanation:Lactate can be used in two ways:Oxidation back to pyruvate by well-oxygenated muscle cells, heart cells, and brain cells. Pyruvate is then directly used to fuel the Krebs cycle orConversion to glucose via gluconeogenesis in the liver and release back into circulation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 2
Correct
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Which one of the following transporters is involved in facilitated diffusion?
Your Answer: GLUT2
Explanation:GLUT 2 is a bidirectional transporter, allowing glucose to flow in 2 directions via facilitated diffusion. Is expressed by renal tubular cells, liver cells and pancreatic beta cells. It is also present in the basolateral membrane of the small intestine epithelium.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 3
Correct
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The formation of superoxide is catalysed by which enzyme?
Your Answer: NADPH oxidase
Explanation:Superoxide is biologically toxic and is deployed by the immune system to kill invading microorganisms. In phagocytes, superoxide is produced in large quantities by the enzyme NADPH oxidase for use in oxygen-dependent killing mechanisms of invading pathogens.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 4
Correct
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In which organelle is the intrinsic apoptotic pathway initiated?
Your Answer: Mitochondria
Explanation:Apoptosis is a programmed form of cell death involving the degradation of cellular constituents by a group of cysteine proteases called caspases. The caspases can be activated through either the intrinsic (mitochondrial mediated) or extrinsic (death receptor mediated) apoptotic pathways.
The intrinsic apoptotic pathway, also known as the mitochondrial pathway, is primarily initiated within the mitochondria. This pathway is activated in response to various internal stimuli, such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, and other cellular stresses.
When the intrinsic pathway is triggered, several events occur in the mitochondria:
- Release of cytochrome c: Cytochrome c is released from the mitochondrial intermembrane space into the cytoplasm.
- Formation of the apoptosome: Cytochrome c in the cytoplasm binds to apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) and procaspase-9, forming a complex known as the apoptosome.
- Activation of caspase-9: The apoptosome activates caspase-9, an initiator caspase.
- Caspase cascade: Activated caspase-9 then activates executioner caspases, such as caspase-3, leading to the execution phase of apoptosis, which results in the orderly dismantling of the cell.
The mitochondria play a crucial role in this pathway by regulating the release of pro-apoptotic factors that are essential for the activation of downstream apoptotic processes.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 5
Correct
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What is the function of gap junctions?
Your Answer: Diffusion of small molecules between neighbouring cells
Explanation:Gap junctions are a specialized intercellular connection between a multitude of cell-types. They directly connect the cytoplasm of two cells, which allows various molecules, ions and electrical impulses to directly pass through a regulated gate between cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 6
Incorrect
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Question 7
Incorrect
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Inhibition of cell division at the end of G1 occurs through:
Your Answer: p53
Correct Answer: Unphosphorolated retinoblastoma protein (uRb)
Explanation:A cell’s decision to enter, or re-enter, the cell cycle is made before S-phase in G1 at what is known as the restriction point, and is determined by the combination of promotional and inhibitory extracellular signals that are received and processed. Ultimately unphosphorylated Rb acts as an inhibitor of G1.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 8
Incorrect
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Cyclic AMP is formed from ATP via which enzyme
Your Answer: Protein Kinase A
Correct Answer: Adenylate cyclase
Explanation:Cyclic AMP is synthesized from ATP by adenylate cyclase located on the inner side of the plasma membrane and anchored at various locations in the interior of the cell.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 9
Correct
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The role of the hemidesmosome is?
Your Answer: Attaches cells to underlying basal lamina
Explanation:Hemidesmosomes connect the basal surface of epithelial cells via intermediate filaments to the underlying basal lamina. The transmembrane proteins of hemidesmosomes are not cadherins, but another type of protein called integrin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 10
Correct
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Question 11
Correct
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With regards to the function of the p53 protein produced by the p53 gene, which of the following statements is incorrect?
Your Answer: It permits repair of mutations and other defects in RNA
Explanation:The p53 protein is a crucial tumor suppressor and plays several key roles in maintaining cellular integrity:
- Nuclear transcription factor: p53 is a nuclear transcription factor that regulates the expression of various genes involved in cell cycle control, DNA repair, apoptosis, and senescence.
- DNA repair: p53 permits repair of mutations and other defects in DNA (not RNA). It activates the transcription of genes involved in DNA repair mechanisms, allowing the cell to correct errors before proceeding with the cell cycle.
- Cell cycle regulation: p53 can induce the expression of p21, a protein that inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases, thereby halting the cell cycle at the G1/S checkpoint to allow time for DNA repair or to trigger apoptosis if the damage is irreparable. Mutations in p53 may fail to halt the cell cycle, allowing mutations to persist and potentially leading to cancer.
- Apoptosis: If DNA damage is extensive and cannot be repaired, p53 triggers apoptosis to prevent the propagation of damaged cells.
- Suppression of proto-oncogenes: p53 indirectly contributes to the suppression of proto-oncogenes by preventing the proliferation of cells with damaged DNA, thereby reducing the risk of oncogenic transformation.
Given these functions, the statement that p53 “permits repair of mutations and other defects in RNA” is incorrect, as p53 is primarily involved in the repair of DNA, not RNA.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 12
Incorrect
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In blistering dermatological disorders e.g.. Pemphigus, which junctions are attacked by autoantibodies?
Your Answer: Zonula adherens
Correct Answer: Desmosomes
Explanation:Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease caused by antibodies directed against both desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 3 present in desmosomes. Loss of desmosomes results in loss of cohesion between keratinocytes in the epidermis, and a disruption of the barrier function served by intact skin. The process is classified as a type II hypersensitivity reaction
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 13
Correct
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With regard to the cell membrane:
Your Answer: It consists of an outer hydrophilic & an inner hydrophobic layer
Explanation:The cell membrane consists primarily of a thin layer of amphipathic phospholipids that spontaneously arrange with the hydrophobic tail regions on the inside and the hydrophilic head regions outside. Membranes typically have a large content of proteins, around 50% of membrane volume.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 14
Correct
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The complete oxidation of 1 molecule of glucose to CO2 and H20 produces a total of __ATP.
Your Answer: 38
Explanation:Textbooks often state that 38 ATP molecules can be made per oxidised glucose molecule during cellular respiration (2 from glycolysis, 2 from the Krebs cycle, and about 34 from the electron transport system). However, this maximum yield is never quite reached because of losses due to leaky membranes as well as the cost of moving pyruvate and ADP into the mitochondrial matrix, and current estimates range around 29 to 30 ATP per glucose.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 15
Incorrect
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Selectins
Your Answer: Bind to ECM components such as elastase, fibrinogen, and laminin
Correct Answer: Interact with carbohydrate ligands or mucin complexes on leucocytes and endothelial cells
Explanation:Selectins are involved in constitutive lymphocyte homing, and in chronic and acute inflammation processes, including post-ischemic inflammation. Each selectin has a carbohydrate recognition domain that mediates binding to specific glycans on apposing cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 16
Correct
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Hydroxyl radicals are broken down by which of the following substance?
Your Answer: Antioxidants
Explanation:Unlike superoxide, which can be detoxified by superoxide dismutase, the hydroxyl radical cannot be eliminated by an enzymatic reaction but it is believed can be counteracted by antioxidants.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 17
Incorrect
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The breakdown of superoxide is catalysed by which enzyme?
Your Answer: NADPH oxidase
Correct Answer: Superoxide dismutase
Explanation:As superoxide is toxic, nearly all organisms living in the presence of oxygen contain isoforms of the superoxide-scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase, or SOD. SOD is an extremely efficient enzyme; it catalyses the neutralization of superoxide nearly as quickly as the two can diffuse together spontaneously in solution.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 18
Correct
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Which caspase is part of both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways?
Your Answer: Caspase-3
Explanation:Once initiator caspases are activated in both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathway, they produce a chain reaction, activating several other executioner caspases (Caspase 3, Caspase 6 and Caspase 7).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 19
Incorrect
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With regards to the cell cycle, which phase represents period of cell growth that divides the end of DNA synthesis and the beginning of somatic cell division?
Your Answer: Gap 1
Correct Answer: Gap 2
Explanation:Interphase is divided into three phases: G1 (first gap), S (synthesis), and G2 (second gap). During all three parts of interphase, the cell grows by producing proteins and cytoplasmic organelles. However, chromosomes are replicated only during the S phase. Thus, a cell grows (G1), continues to grow as it duplicates its chromosomes (S), grows more and prepares for mitosis (G2), and finally divides (M) before restarting the cycle.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 20
Correct
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Which intercellular connections are responsible for fastening the cells to one another?
Your Answer: Hemidesmosomes, zonula adherens & desmosomes
Explanation:There are three major types of cell junction:Adherens junctions, desmosomes and hemidesmosomes (anchoring junctions),Gap junctions (communicating junction) &Tight junctions (occluding junctions)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 21
Correct
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Question 22
Correct
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Regarding oxidative deamination of amino acids, which of the following is true?
Your Answer: Occurs in the kidney & liver
Explanation:Oxidative deamination is a form of deamination that generates α-keto acids and other oxidized products from amine-containing compounds, and occurs largely in the liver and kidney. Oxidative deamination is an important step in the catabolism of amino acids, generating a more metabolizable form of the amino acid, and also generating ammonia as a toxic by-product. The addition of ubiquitin to a substrate protein is called ubiquitination.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 23
Correct
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Free radicals are best defined by which of the following statements.
Your Answer: Atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons
Explanation:Free radicals form when one of weak bond between electrons is broken and an uneven number of electrons remain. This means the electron is unpaired, making it chemically reactive and attempt to steal an electron from a neighbouring molecule to stabilize itself.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 24
Incorrect
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Regarding integrins, which option is false?
Your Answer: All of the options are true
Correct Answer: Play no role in cell signalling.
Explanation:Integrins are transmembrane receptors that facilitate cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion. Upon ligand binding, integrins activate signal transduction pathways that mediate cellular signals such as regulation of the cell cycle, organization of the intracellular cytoskeleton, and movement of new receptors to the cell membrane. Integrins are obligate heterodimers, meaning that they have two subunits: α (alpha) and β (beta). Integrins play an important role in cell signalling by modulating the cell signalling pathways of transmembrane protein kinases such as receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 25
Correct
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What is the function of secondary messengers?
Your Answer: Communication from extracellular to intracellular signalling pathways
Explanation:First messengers may not physically cross the phospholipid bilayer to initiate changes within the cell directly. This functional limitation necessitates the cell to devise signal transduction mechanisms to transduce first messenger into second messengers, so that the extracellular signal may be propagated intracellularly. Second messengers are intracellular signalling molecules released by the cell to trigger physiological changes such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, survival, and apoptosis. Secondary messengers are therefore one of the initiating components of intracellular signal transduction cascades.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 26
Correct
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Cell membrane proteins may act as:
Your Answer: All of the options
Explanation:Membrane proteins perform a variety of functions including:Membrane receptor proteins relay or carry signals between the cell’s internal and external environments.Transport proteins move molecules and ions (ionic channels) across the membrane. Membrane enzymes may have many activities, such as oxidoreductase, transferase or hydrolase andCell adhesion molecules
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 27
Correct
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Question 28
Correct
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Which ion channel is a dimer?
Your Answer: Cl- channel
Explanation:A dimer is a chemical structure formed from two similar sub-units. Chloride channels or exchangers are composed of two similar subunits—a dimer—each subunit containing one pore.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 29
Correct
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Which is true of the citric acid cycle?
Your Answer: Involves a series of reactions where oxaloacetate is regenerated
Explanation:The cycle consumes acetate (in the form of acetyl-CoA) and water, reduces NAD+ to NADH, and produces carbon dioxide as a waste by-product. The NADH generated by the citric acid cycle is fed into the oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport) pathway. At the end of each cycle, the four-carbon oxaloacetate has been regenerated, and the cycle continues. The net result of these two closely linked pathways is the oxidation of nutrients to produce usable chemical energy in the form of ATP. Acetyl-CoA, is the starting point for the citric acid cycle and in eukaryotic cells, the citric acid cycle occurs in the matrix of the mitochondrion. Though the Krebs cycle does not directly require oxygen, it can only take place when oxygen is present because it relies on by-products and is therefore an aerobic process.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 30
Incorrect
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What is the function of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family of proteins, Bax and Bak?
Your Answer: Binds to cytochrome C to activate caspase-9
Correct Answer: Form permissive pores in the mitochondrial membrane
Explanation:The pro-apoptotic proteins in the BCL-2 family, including Bax and Bak, normally act on the mitochondrial membrane to promote permeabilization and release of cytochrome C and ROS, that are important signals in the apoptosis cascade. Growing evidence suggests that activated BAX and/or Bak form an oligomeric pore, MAC in the mitochondrial outer membrane. This results in the release of cytochrome c and other pro-apoptotic factors from the mitochondria, often referred to as mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, leading to activation of caspases.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
