UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS

Oct/Nov 2024
HOMEMYEXM

BMI2601

Clinical Biochemistry II

100 Marks
4 Hours

This paper consists of Three (3) pages.

Instructions:
• This is a timed take-home examination.
• You will require a PC, laptop, or tablet. Smartphones can be used to photograph hand-written pages and
collate into a file for upload and as Wi-Fi hotspots for connectivity.
• You have 4 hours to answer all the required questions. You will be given an additional 15 minutes to
download the question paper and 30 minutes to upload the answer file. Submissions made after the
official examination time will be rejected by the examination regulations and will not be marked.
• Clearly indicate your student number and all required information on the front page of your answer sheet.
• Read each question carefully before you answer and take note of the mark allocation per question to
determine how comprehensive your answer should be.
• If handwritten, make sure your writing is neat and easy to read.
• Students must upload their answer scripts in a single PDF file (answer scripts must not be password
protected or uploaded as “read only” files). No emailed scripts will be accepted. Please utilise the
contingency link provided by your module lecturer should you be unable to submit on the myExams platform
• Students are advised to preview submissions (answer scripts) to ensure legibility and that the correct
answer script file has been uploaded.
• Incorrect file format and uncollated answer scripts will not be considered. Incorrect answer scripts and/or
submissions made on unofficial examinations platforms (including the invigilator cell phone application) will
not be marked and no opportunity will be granted for resubmission.
• A mark awarded for an incomplete submission or for an illegible scanned submission will be the student’s
final mark. No opportunity for resubmission will be granted. Only the last file uploaded and submitted will be
marked. Submissions will only be accepted from registered student accounts.
• Students who have not utilised invigilation or proctoring tools will be deemed to have transgressed Unisa’s
examination rules and will have their marks withheld. Students have 48 hours from the day of their
examination to upload their invigilator results from the Invigilator App. Failure to do so will result in students
deemed not have utilised invigilation or proctoring tools.
• Students must complete the online declaration of own work when submitting. Students suspected of
dishonest conduct during the examinations will be subjected to disciplinary processes. Students may not
communicate with other students, or request assistance from other students during examinations.
Plagiarism is a violation of academic integrity and students who plagiarise, copy from published work or
Artificial Intelligence Software (e.g., ChatGPT) or online sources (e.g., course material), will be in violation of
the Policy on Academic Integrity and the Student Disciplinary Code and may be referred to a disciplinary
hearing. Unisa has a zero tolerance for plagiarism and/or any other forms of academic dishonesty.
• Queries that are beyond Unisa’s control include the following: (a) Personal network or service provider
issues (b) Load shedding/limited space on personal computer (c) Crashed computer (d) Using a work
computer that blocks access to myExams site (work firewall challenges) (e) Unlicensed software.
• Students experiencing the above challenges are advised to apply for an aegrotat and submit supporting
evidence within ten days of the examination session.
• Students experiencing technical challenges should contact the SCSC on 080 000 1870 or via e-mail
[email protected] or refer to the Get- Help resource for the list of additional contact numbers.
Only communication received from your myLife account will be considered.

[TURN OVER]
To download and submit the take home exam via myExams, follow the following steps:
• Access myExams at https://myexams.ac.za/portal and login using your student number and password.
• Go to your specific examination site through the site tabs on the horizontal navigation bar. Also check
your sites link in the top right-hand corner if you do not find the site on the horizontal navigation bar.
• Once the site has loaded, select the eAssessment tool from the left-navigation menu. The list of all
available assessments in the site will be displayed.
• Select the assessment for which you want to download/upload the examination answer file by clicking
on the title of the assessment in the list. A new page will open.
• Submit your examination answer file (PDF).

The Invigilator App instructions:

• Ensure you are connected to the internet to log into the Invigilator App and scan the QR code below.
• If you encounter difficulty in scanning the QR code, you can alternatively enter the Exam Access Code
below the QR code to start the invigilation.
• Unless otherwise specified by your institution, note that you can only scan this QR code once. If your
assessment has multiple online sections, tests or attempts, you should NOT finish the invigilation until
your entire assessment has been completed.
• Only scan the QR code when the assessment formally commences.
• The QR code is only scannable for a limited time, and it should therefore be scanned as soon as possible
to start the invigilation.
• Once the QR code is scanned, ensure your media volume Is turned up and place your smartphone next
to you. The Invigilator App will notify you with a notification beep when you are required to action a
request, which you should then perform.
• We recommend that you keep your smartphone on charge for the duration of the assessment.
• If you only have one device you may access your assessment in the application by pressing the ‘Access
Exam’ button in the top right corner of your app.
• Keep the Invigilator App open on your cell phone for the full duration of the assessment. You are not
allowed to minimise or leave the app.
• Ensure you are connected to the internet in order to commence the invigilation as well as at the end of the
assessment. No internet connection is required during the assessment.
• You must adhere to the assessment time limit communicated to you by your institution as the time
displayed in the Invigilator App could differ from the time allocated to complete your assessment.
• You can click the "Finish Assessment" button in the app if you finish your assessment early.
• If you are performing a written or Scan-and-Upload assessment:
• The Invigilator App may request you to take a picture of every page of your answer sheet at the end of the
assessment. Unless otherwise specified by your institution, this does NOT replace the normal upload of
your script to your institution’s online portal.
• After completing invigilation and following all app instructions, you must upload your Invigilation App data.
If however there is a delay in the upload of the app data at the end of the assessment, you should
prioritise the upload of your script to your university portal and you can temporarily minimise the app to do
so. Uploading of app data is not time sensitive and you can come back and do it after you have
successfully uploaded your script to the exam portal.
• Should you encounter any difficulties, please WhatsApp The Invigilator Helpdesk on 073 505 8273.
 Confidential
Page 3 of 3
BMI2601
OCT/NOV 2024

QUESTION 1 [20]

1.1. Distinguish between covalent and noncovalent interactions and briefly describe the four (4)
different types of noncovalent bonds. (6)

1.2. Distinguish between a strong and a weak acid. (2)

1.3. Why are buffers important in biological systems? (2)

1.4. Describe the key characteristics that differentiate the N-terminus and C-terminus of a protein and
draw the structure of the tripeptide Ala-Cys-Ser in the ionic form that predominates at pH 7. Show all
atoms (including hydrogens) as well as any charges as necessary. (10)

QUESTION 2 [20]

2.1. Describe the principles behind four (4) laboratory techniques used in the analysis of purified proteins
in a biochemistry laboratory. (20)

QUESTION 3 [20]

3.1. Discuss the role of DNA in prokaryotic protein synthesis and expression. (20)

QUESTION 4 [20]

4.1. Describe the various mechanisms that enzymes utilize to facilitate catalysis. (20)

QUESTION 5 [20]

5.1. Explain the processes of glycogen synthesis and degradation, in your response, highlighting how
they are regulated by hormonal signals. Additionally, describe the different types of glycogen storage
diseases. (20)

TOTAL: 100 MARKS

First Examiner: Dr SM Makgabo
Second Examiner: Dr MH Mkhombo

UNISA 2024