INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY

(COLLECTION E) 2022 INCOURSE

TIME: 30 MINS

INSTURCTIONS:
✓ Each Correct answer attracts 1mark
✓ Each Wrong answer attracts a negative ½ mark
✓ No mark for any unanswered question

1. The cell theory is not applicable to

a. Fungi
b. Algae
c. Virus
d. Microbes
e. Plants
2. The general mechanism is that an enzyme acts by:
a. Reducing the activation energy
b. Increasing activation energy
c. Decreasing pH value
d. Increasing the pH value
e. None of the above
3. The coenzyme is:
a. Often a metal
b. Always a protein
c. Often a vitamin
d. Always an inorganic compound
e. A liquid
4. An enzyme that joins the ends if two strands of nucleic acid is
a. Polymerase
b. Ligase
 c. Synthetase
d. Helicase
e. Protease
5. Which of the following is produced with the combination of apoenzyme and coenzyme
a. Holoenzyme
b. Enzyme substrate complex
c. Prosthetic group
d. Enzyme product complex
e. Half enzyme
6. Which one among them is the example of competitive inhibition of an enzyme
a. Succinic dehydrogenase by malonic acid
b. Cytochrome oxidase by cyanide
c. Hexokinase by glucose-6-phosphate
d. Carbonic anhydrase by carbon dioxide
e. Carbon oxidase
7. Blocking of enzyme action by blocking its active site is called _________
a. Allosteric inhibition
b. Feedback inhibition
c. Competitive inhibition
d. Non-competitive inhibition
e. Non-allosteric inhibition
8. Diastase takes part in digestion of what?
a. Protein
b. Starch
c. Amino acids
d. Fat
e. DNA
9. Enzyme catalyzing rearrangement of atomic grouping without altering molecular weight or
number of atom is:
a. Ligase
b. Isomerase
 c. Oxidoreductase
d. Hydrolase
e. Catalase
10. Enzyme complex involved in alcoholic fermentation is:
a. Zymase
b. Invertase
c. Lipase
d. Amylase
e. Hydrolase
11. Zymogen or proenzyme is a __________
a. Modulator
b. Vitamin
c. Enzyme precursor
d. Hormone
e. Fatty acid
12. Enzymes are polymers of
a. Hexose sugar
b. Amino acids
c. Fatty acids
d. Inorganic phosphate
e. Lipids
13. The enzymes which hydrolyses starch to maltose is ________
a. Protease
b. Amylase
c. Lactase
d. Maltase
e. Catalase
14. This enzyme was first isolated and purified in the forms of crystals
a. Urease
b. Pepsin
c. Amylase
 d. Ribonuclease
e. Maltase
15. This statement about enzymes is TRUE:
a. Enzymes accelerate reactions by lowering the activation energy
b. Enzymes are proteins whose three-dimensional form is key to their function
c. Enzymes do not alter the overall change in free energy for a reaction
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
16. Koshland proposed which model?
a. Fluid mosaic model
b. Induced fir model
c. Lock and key model
d. Reflective index model
e. Penn model
17. In the human body, optimum temperature for enzymatic activities is _________
a. 370 𝐶
b. 250 𝐶
c. 200 𝐶
d. 150 𝐶
e. 100 𝐶
18. Optimum pH value of pepsin is _________
a. 1.4
b. 2.5
c. 3.5
d. 5
e. 6
19. The enzyme minus its coenzyme known as ______
a. Apoenzyme
b. Metalloenzyme
c. Isoenzyme
d. All of the above
 e. None of the above
20. Which of the following is the non-protein component of the enzyme?
a. Cofactor
b. Activator
c. Coenzyme
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
21. An uncatalyzed reaction involves _________
a. High activation energy
b. Low activation energy
c. Balanced activation energy
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
22. Which among them is not an attribute of enzymes
a. Specific in nature
b. Protein in chemistry
c. Consumed in reaction
d. Increased rate of reaction
e. None of the above
23. 𝑍𝑛2+ is an inorganic activator for what enzyme
a. Carbonic anhydrase
b. Phosphatase
c. Chymotrypsin
d. Maltase
e. Lipase
24. 𝑀𝑔2+ is an inorganic activator for what enzyme
a. Phosphatase
b. Carbonic anhydrase
c. Amylase
d. Enterokinase
e. Lipase
25. Which among them is a cofactor
a. Inorganic ion
b. Organic molecule
c. DNA
d. Both A and B
e. None of the above
26. The importance of nucleic acids includes all the following EXCEPT
a. They dictate the sequence of lipids
b. They dictate the sequence of amino acids
c. They help with the transfer of genetic information
d. They hold genetic information
e. They are components of ribosomes
27. The following is/are not TRUE about nucleic acid
a. During transcription, complementary copies of RNA is made
b. During transcription, protein is made from mRNA
c. During transcription, identical copies of DNA is made
d. During replication, identical copies of DNA is made
e. During translation, RNA condons are converted to polypeptides
28. The deoxyribose sugar loses an oxygen at carbon _________
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
29. The ribose sugar forms a N-glycosidic bond through its carbon ________
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
30. The following are nitrogenous bases except _________
 a. Guanosine
b. Adenosine
c. Uracil
d. Cytosine
e. Thymisine
31. All of the following occurs with hyperchromicity except ___________
a. Increase in optical density of DNA solution
b. Separation of the DNA strands
c. DNA absorbs more light at 260nm
d. Decrease in absorbance
e. Increase in absorbance
32. The Sanger’s chain termination method depends on absence of hydroxyl on carbon _________
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
33. In Sanger’s sequencing method, the number of test tubes required is ____
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
34. The sequencing method with a very high throughput and speed is ___________
a. Sanger’s sequencing method
b. Next generation sequencing
c. Shotgun sequencing
d. Chemical method
e. Nanopore DNA sequencing
35. The key enzyme in the regulation of fatty acid synthesis is _________
a. Transketolase
 b. Acetyl CoA carboxylase
c. Protein phosphatase
d. AMP activated protein kinase
e. Carboxykinase
36. The major source of carbohydrate in a typical Nigerian diet is ______
a. Cellulose
b. Glycogen
c. Starch
d. Sucrose
e. Glucose
37. A 16 year old marathon runner trains by running 15 miles every morning, requiring a constant
supply of ATP. Approximately how many ATP is produced when palmitoyl CoA is oxidized to
CO2 and H2 O
a. 128
b. 129
c. 131
d. 133
e. 130
38. During beta-oxidation of stearic acid, how many acetyl CoA is produced?
a. 6
b. 7
c. 8
d. 9
e. 10
39. Each of the following hormones is an amino acid derivative except
a. Epinephrine
b. Norepinephrine
c. Thyroid hormone
d. Thyroid stimulating hormone
e. Melatonin
40. All androgens are formed from______
 a. Proteins
b. Tyrosine
c. Cholesterol
d. Small peptides
e. Glucose
41. All of the following are TRUE of steroid hormones except that they are ________
a. Produced by the suprarenal medulla
b. Derived from cholesterol
c. Produced by reproductive glands
d. Bind to receptors within the cell
e. Are lipids
42. Which of the following is the simplest form of carbohydrates?
a. Carboxyl groups
b. Aldehyde and Ketone groups
c. Alcohol and Carboxyl groups
d. Hydroxyl groups and Hydrogen groups
43. Which of the following is the general formula of carbohydrates?
a. (𝐶4 𝐻2 𝑂)n
b. (𝐶6 𝐻2 𝑂)n
c. (𝐶𝐻2 𝑂)n
d. (𝐶2 𝐻2 𝑂)n COOH
44. Which of the following is an example of epimers?
a. Glucose and Ribose
b. Glucose and Galactose
c. Galactose, Mannose and Glucose
d. Glucose, Ribose and Mannose
45. Molisch test is used for _________.
a. Lipids
b. Proteins
c. Carbohydrate
d. Flavoproteins
 SECTION B (TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS)

Which of these is a solid fat?

46. Butter
47. Chicken fat
48. Hydrogenated oils
49. Sunflower oils
50. All of the above
The pOH of a solution can be defined as the

51. Positive logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration

52. Positive logarithm of hydroxyl ion concentration
53. Negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration
54. Negative logarithm of hydroxyl ion concentration
55. Logarithm of hydroxyl ion concentration to base 10
Which of these compounds reacts with water to produce a hydrogen ion?

56. A salt
57. A base
58. HNO3
59. NaOH
60. An acid
Which of these is correct?

[A− ]
61. pKa = pH – log [HA]
[A− ]
62. pH = pKa + log [HA]
[A− ]
63. pH = pKa – log [HA]

64. pKa = log Ka

65. pKa = -logKa

Natural sunlight exposure maintains adequate supply of

66. Vitamin D
67. Vitamin E
68. Vitamin A
69. Vitamin C
70. Vitamin B
Inhibitory neurotransmitters include:

71. Glutamate
72. Norepinephrine
73. Histamine
74. Serotonin
75. Aspartate
Examine these statements:

76. Dopamine is synthesized from tryptophan

77. DOPA is associated with reward mechanism in the brain
78. Schizophrenics have excess dopamine
79. Patients with Parkinson disease have excess dopamine
80. Serotonin increases the heart rate
Monoamines include

81. Serotonin
82. Epinephrine
83. Acetylcholine
84. Dopamine
85. GABA
Adenylyl cyclase

86. Catalyzes the cyclization of GTP

87. Catalyzes the cyclization of ATP
88. Catalyzes the cyclization of AMP
89. Catalyzes the cyclization of TTP
90. Catalyzes the cyclization of cGTP
 Adenosine

91. Can act on adenosine A3 receptor

92. Can act on adenosine A2 receptor
93. Can act on adenosine A1 receptor
94. Inhibit adenylate cyclase activity
95. Decreases cAMP concentration
cAMP

96. Is an important first messenger

97. Is an important second messenger
98. Adenylyl cyclase stimulates alpha subunit G proteins
99. Activate ion channel
100. Adenylate cyclase inhibits alpha subunit G proteins
 COLLECTION E DETAILED SOLUTION
1. C. Viruses lack the typical structure of a cell and do not perform any functions of a cell
2. A. Enzymes generally lower activation energy by reducing the energy needed for reactants to
come together and react
3. C. Coenzymes are organic compounds required by many enzymes for catalytic activity. They are
often vitamins, or derivatives of vitamins.
4. B. DNA ligase is the enzyme responsible for the formation of the phosphodiester bond between
nucleotide base pairs. This enzyme plays an important role in the DNA damage repair pathways.
5. A. The combination of the apoenzyme and the coenzyme results in the formation of a functional
enzyme which is called holoenzyme.
6. A. The inhibition of succinic dehydrogenase by malonic acid is an example of the competitive
inhibition of an enzyme. A competitive inhibitor looks like the substrate and binds to the enzyme's
active site. The substrate is then barred from binding to the same active site as the enzyme.
Malonate is a competitive inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase: it binds to the enzyme's active
sites without reacting, and therefore competes with succinate, the enzyme's regular substrate.
7. C. Competitive inhibition is a phenomenon in which a substrate molecule is prevented from
binding to the active site of an enzyme by a molecule that is very similar in structure to the
substrate. Thus, the inhibitor molecule and the substrate that the enzyme acts on “compete” for
the same binding site.
8. B. Diatase is used to describe many different enzymes that can catalyze starch down into maltose.
Amylase is one specific enzyme that breaks complex starch into glucose and it is found in the
saliva of the mouth.
9. B. Isomerases are enzymes that aid in the conversion of a chemical substance from one isomeric
form to another by catalysing isomerization modifications in a molecule. Isomerization is the
process of converting one isomer into another. Any of two or more versions of a molecule having
the same chemical formula but a distinct stereochemical arrangement of the atoms is referred to
as an isomer.
10. A. Zymase is an enzyme complex that catalyzes the fermentation of sugar into ethanol and carbon
dioxide. It occurs naturally in yeasts.
11. C. Enzyme precursors are the inactive form of the enzymes which are generally activated by
action of another enzyme or chemical compounds, the activation of such enzymes are highly
regulated by the cell signalling pathways.
12. B. Enzymes are composed primarily of proteins, which are polymers of amino acids.
13. B. Maltose is produced by the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch (a homopolysaccharide) catalyzed
by the enzyme amylase.
14. A. Urease is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyses the conversion of urea to ammonia and CO2.
Ureases are members of the amidohydrolases and phosphotriesterases superfamily. Ureases may
be found in a wide variety of bacteria, fungi, algae, plants, and animals, as well as in soils as a
soil enzyme. They are high-molecular-weight nickel-containing metalloenzymes.
15. D. Enzymes catalyze the biochemical reaction, they increase the rate of reaction by lowering the
activation barrier. They are generally tertiary and quaternary proteins, they are not consumed in
the reaction.

16. B. The induced-fit model was first proposed by Koshland in 1958 to explain the protein
conformational changes in the binding process. This model suggests that an enzyme, when
binding with its substrate, optimizes the interface through physical interactions to form the final
complex structure.
17. A. Most of the enzymes in human body function optimally at the physiological temperature that
is 370 C
18. A. pH plays an important role in enzyme activity, enzymes are often active only in a narrow pH
range. Pepsin gets denatured in pH lower and higher than the pH range of 1.4 to 1.6. The optimal
pH for pepsin activity is 1.4.
19. A. The enzyme minus its coenzyme known as apoenzyme. The apoenzyme is the protein part of
the holoenzyme. Apoenzymes and prosthetic groups combinely to form the holoenzymes.
20. D. Cofactor is a non-protein part of the enzyme. It can be metal ions or the organic chemical. The
cofactors which are organic chemicals are known as coenzyme
21. A. The high activation energy required for the catalysis of the biochemical reaction is a major
barrier of the uncatalyzed reaction in the cells.
22. C. Enzymes only lower the activation barrier of the biochemical reaction, they do not change the
equilibrium and they do not get consumed in the reaction.
23. C. The zinc cation is a cofactor of the enzyme chymotrypsin it is required for enzyme catalysis.
24. A. Mg ions (cation) acts as cofactor of the enzyme phosphatase that is required for the enzyme
activity.
25. D. A cofactor is an apoprotein that has a metal ion or one or more inorganic ions linked to it.
Mg 2+ , Fe2+ , Zn2+ and Mn2+ are examples of common cofactors. Metallic cofactors are used by
enzyme examples including Cytochrome oxidase, catalase, peroxidase, pyruvate kinase,
hexokinase, and glucose 6-phosphatase.
26. A. The sequence of nucleotides in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) that
determines the amino acid sequence of proteins. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) molecules are the
structural components of the ribosome
27. C. The central dogma of molecular biology is a theory stating that genetic information flows only
in one direction, from DNA, to RNA, to protein, or RNA directly to protein. From existing DNA
to make new DNA (DNA replication) From DNA to make new RNA (transcription) From RNA
to make new proteins (translation).
28. B.

29. A.
30. E. The correct name is thymidine
31. D. Hyperchromicity is the increase of absorbance (optical density) of a material. The increase of
absorbance (optical density) of DNA occurs when the DNA duplex is denatured. - Due to
denaturation of DNA the strands separate (become single strand) and bases become exposed to
the surface and able to absorb more light at 260 nm (non-stacked bases)
32. C
33. D.
34. B. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), also referred to as "High-Throughput Sequencing has
revolutionized genomics and DNA sequencing due to their remarkable speed "Throughput" refers
to the rate at which a system, process, or technology can process or handle a specific quantity of
items or data within a given time frame. It is a measure of how efficiently a system can move,
process, or transmit something from the input to the output. and ability to generate vast amounts
of sequencing data in a relatively short time frame.
35. B. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) is the enzyme responsible for catalyzing the carboxylation of
acetyl-CoA to produce malonyl-CoA, which is a substrate for the biosynthesis of fatty acids.
36. C.
37. C. Palmitoyl CoA is the activated form of palmitic acid. 16 carbon atoms together form palmitic
acid. So, by going with the formula C2n then 2n = 16. Thus, n = 8. Therefore, 8 Acetyl CoA is
formed. Since (n - 1) is equal to the number of NADH and FAD. 1 NADH = 3 ATP Therefore, 7
NADH = 7 x 3 = 21 ATP. 1 FADH2 = 2 ATP Therefore, 7 FADH2
 = 7 x 2 = 14 ATP. Please note that some textbooks say 1 NADH = 2.5 ATP and 1 𝐹𝐴𝐷𝐻2 = 1.5
ATP. Use the values that your lecturer gives you.
1 Acetyl CoA through TCA cycle produce 12 ATP. Then, 8 Acetyl CoA will give (12 x 8) = 96
ATP
Total ATP produced are = 21 + 14 + 96 = 131 ATP.
38. D. The formula for stearic acid is C18H36O2. By going with the formula C2n , 2n = 18. Therefore,
9 acetyl CoA is formed
39. D. Thyroid Hormones (Thyroxine & Triiodothyronine), Epinephrine, Norepinephrine and
Dopamine are derived from the amino acid tyrosine. Melatonin and Serotonin are derived from
tryptophan. Histamine is derived from histidine.
40. C. Cholesterol, a sterol molecule, serves as the starting point for androgen synthesis.
41. C. The adrenal gland (or suprarenal gland) is made up of the cortex and medulla. The cortex
produces steroid hormones including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and adrenal androgens,
and the medulla produces the catecholamines, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Steroid hormones
bind receptors in the cell nucleus and in the cell membrane. Steroids are lipids because they are
hydrophobic and insoluble in water
42. B.
43. C
44. B. Epimers are carbohydrates that differ in the location of the -OH group in one location.

45. C
46. T
47. T
48. T. Hydrogenation is a process where manufacturers add hydrogen to a liquid fat, such as vegetable
oil, to turn it into a solid fat at room temperature.
49. F. Sunflower Seed oil is made up of 68% unsaturated fatty acids so it is liquid at room
temperature.
50. F
51. F.
52. F
53. F
54. T
55. F. pOH is the negative logarithm of the hydroxide (hydroxyl) ion concentration.
56. F
57. F
58. T. Nitric acid (HNO3 ) is a strong acid
59. F
60. T. A compound that reacts with water to produce hydrogen ions (H + ) is called an acid. Acids are
substances that can donate protons (H + ) to water molecules, resulting in an increase in the
concentration of H + ions in the solution. This process is often referred to as ionization or
dissociation.
61. T
62. T
63. F
64. F
65. T. pKa is the negative log of Ka
66. T.
67. F.
68. F.
69. F.
70. F.
71. F. Glutamate and Aspartate Are the Major Excitatory Transmitters in the Brain.
72. F
73. F. Histamine has generally excitatory effects on target neurons
74. T. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine and serotonin are examples of inhibitory
neurotransmitters
75. F
76. F. Tryptophan is a substrate for the synthesis of serotonin. Dopamine is synthesized from tyrosine
77. F. DOPA, or more specifically L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine), is not directly
associated with the reward mechanism in the brain, but it does play a significant role in the brain's
neurotransmitter systems and has relevance in the context of reward and pleasure. L-DOPA is a
precursor to several important neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and
epinephrine. In particular, it is a precursor to dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that does
have a direct association with the brain's reward system. Dopamine is often referred to as the
"feel-good" neurotransmitter because it is involved in feelings of pleasure, reward, and
motivation. It plays a crucial role in the brain's reward pathway, which involves the release of
dopamine in response to pleasurable stimuli such as food, sex, and drugs. This release of
dopamine reinforces behaviors associated with these stimuli, making them more likely to be
repeated.
78. T & F. It has been hypothesized that schizophrenia is characterized by abnormally low prefrontal
dopamine activity (causing deficit symptoms) leading to excessive dopamine activity in
mesolimbic dopamine neurons (causing positive symptoms).
79. F. For people with Parkinson's disease, dopamine levels are too low. As the dopamine starts to
fall, signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease will begin to reveal themselves. That means the
smooth, controlled body movements may be replaced by symptoms like tremor or stiffness in
limbs.
80. T. Effects of serotonin include: increase in heart rate, increase in force of contraction, fibrosis of
cardiac valves, coronary constriction, arrhythmias and thrombosis.
81. T. The 3 categories of monoamine NTs are the catecholamines, which include dopamine (DA),
norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (EP); the indolamine serotonin (abbreviated by its
chemical name 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]); and the imidazolamine histamine (HA)
82. T
83. F
84. T
85. F
86. F
87. T. Adenylyl cyclase, also known as adenylate cyclase, is an enzyme which catalyzes the
cyclization of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) which
requires the cleavage of pyrophosphate (PPi).
88. F
89. F
90. F
91. T. Adenosine can bind to A3 receptors, which are one of the four subtypes of adenosine receptors
(A1, A2A, A2B, and A3) found in the human body.
92. T. A2 receptors come in two subtypes: A2A and A2B. A2A receptors are primarily found in the
brain, particularly in areas involved in motor control and cognition. A2B receptors are more
widely distributed throughout the body, including in immune cells.
93. T. A1 receptors are primarily found in the brain, heart, and other tissues. When adenosine binds
to A1 receptors, it generally inhibits the release of neurotransmitters, leading to a calming or
inhibitory effect.
94. T. Yes, adenosine can inhibit adenylate cyclase activity. Adenosine is a nucleoside that can bind
to specific G protein-coupled receptors known as adenosine receptors (A1, A2A, A2B, A3) found
on the surface of cells. When adenosine binds to its receptors, it can initiate various intracellular
signaling pathways, including the inhibition of adenylate cyclase.
95. T. When adenosine binds to A1 receptors, it activates intracellular signaling pathways that involve
inhibitory G proteins. These inhibitory proteins, in turn, reduce the activity of adenylate cyclase,
an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cAMP from adenosine triphosphate (ATP). As a result,
the production of cAMP is inhibited, leading to lower intracellular levels of cAMP.
96. F
97. T. Second messengers are small intracellular molecules that mediate the effects of first
messengers, i.e., neurotransmitters and hormones. Some of the important second messengers in
the nervous system are cAMP, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), diacylglycerol (DAG),
inositol trisphosphate (IP3), and Ca2+ ions. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a second
messenger used for intracellular signal induction.
98. F. The G alpha subunit stimulates the cAMP-dependent pathway by activating adenylyl cyclase.
 99. T. activates cAMP-dependent protein kinases, causing them to transfer phosphate groups from
free molecules of ATP to various proteins in the cell
100. F. Adenylyl cyclase (AC) does not directly inhibit the alpha subunit of G proteins; instead, it is
regulated by the alpha subunit's activity. The alpha subunit of G proteins plays a key role in
regulating adenylyl cyclase activity, but it does so by either stimulating (Gαs) or inhibiting (Gαi) the
enzyme rather than by direct inhibition of the alpha subunit itself.