Metabolism and Enzomology: BCH 223, Supplementary Examinations November 2024
| dc.contributor.author | Mazomba, N.T. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mkwetshana, N.T. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-07-02T09:07:49Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-07-02T09:07:49Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-11 | |
| dc.description | Metabolism and Enzomology: BCH 223, Supplementary Examinations November 2024 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This supplementary examination paper for BCH223, "Enzymology and Metabolism," is a 3-hour assessment worth 100 marks. Students are required to answer all questions, which cover various aspects of enzyme function, metabolic pathways, and their regulation. Question 1 (20 marks) focuses on enzyme regulation and specificity. It requires a full description of how enzymes are regulated by substrate concentration and cellular compartments, how to distinguish between competitive and non-competitive inhibition using experimental data, and a description of four main types of enzyme specificity. Question 2 (20 marks) delves into glycolysis. It asks students to classify glycolysis pathway enzymes into their respective classes, providing examples and explaining their mechanisms. Additionally, it requires writing the net reaction of glycolysis under aerobic conditions and explaining why molecular oxygen is not directly involved in the pathway. Question 3 (30 marks) covers the citric acid cycle (TCA cycle) and related concepts. It requires a detailed explanation of why the TCA cycle is considered central to metabolism, naming products or intermediates that act as carriers (like Coenzyme A) and describing their involvement and importance. It also includes an explanation of why certain groups on citrate appear different to cis-aconitase despite being similar to the human eye, and a detailed explanation of why ATP yield from glucose oxidation sometimes differs (36 vs. 38 ATPs). Question 4 (20 marks) focuses on fatty acid metabolism. It asks why carnitine-containing slimming pills are effective, the role of fatty acids, and their role under conditions of low oxaloacetate or prolonged starvation. Students must also map out how hibernating animals use stored fats for energy and water, and explain why an intermediate of fatty acid synthesis might regulate fatty acid oxidation. Finally, Question 5 (10 marks) requires an explanation of why certain plants (sugar cane vs. aloe) thrive in specific South African regions (Kwazulu-Natal to Mpumalanga vs. Karoo region). The examination aims to comprehensively assess students' understanding of key biochemical processes, their regulation, and their relevance in biological contexts. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/2948 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | |
| dc.publisher | University of Fort Hare | |
| dc.title | Metabolism and Enzomology: BCH 223, Supplementary Examinations November 2024 | |
| dc.type | Learning Object |