Biochemistry : Macromolecule Structures and Functions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Fatty Acids

How many hydrogens are bound to a carbon atom in the middle of a saturated fatty acid chain?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In a saturated fatty acid, all of the covalent carbon to carbon bonds are single bonds. So a carbon atom in the middle of the chain will have two covalent bonds to other carbon atoms, and can therefore bond to two hydrogen atoms. 

Example Question #1 : Lipid Structures And Functions

Select the most accurate description of alpha-linolenic acid.

Possible Answers:

Is a precursor for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

Is an eighteen-carbon chain omega-6 fatty acid

Is a twenty-carbon chain omega-3 fatty acid

Is a precursor for arachidonic acid (AA)

Can be synthesized de novo in the body

Correct answer:

Is a precursor for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

Explanation:

Alpha-linolenic acid is an essential fatty acid that must be consumed in the diet (cannot be synthesized by the body). It is an eighteen-carbon omega-3 fatty acid that is used to synthesize eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two important long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Alpha-linoleic acid is the precursor to arachodonic acid (AA).

Example Question #1 : Fatty Acids

Which of the following is not an omega-3 fatty acid?

Possible Answers:

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)

docosapentaenoic acid (DPA)

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA)

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

Correct answer:

Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA)

Explanation:

Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) is a twenty-carbon omega-6 fatty acid that is a desaturation product of linoleic acid. The rest of the answer choices are indeed omega-3 fatty acids.

Example Question #2 : Lipid Structures And Functions

Omega-6 fatty acids are primarily found in __________.

Possible Answers:

flax seeds

salmon

chia seeds

krill

poultry

Correct answer:

poultry

Explanation:

Omega-6 fatty acids are primarily found in vegetable oils (ex. soybean oil or corn oil), chicken, and eggs. Note that poultry feed is very heavy on corn products and thus increases the omega-6 fatty acid proportion of almost all farm raised animals. Fish, chia seeds, and flax seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Example Question #4 : Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids __________.

Possible Answers:

are found in most vegetable oils

are considered pro-inflammatory

have a double bond at the 6th carbon

can be used to synthesize anti-inflammatory (or less-inflammatory) eicosanoids

are a substrate for the synthesis of series 2 prostaglandins

Correct answer:

can be used to synthesize anti-inflammatory (or less-inflammatory) eicosanoids

Explanation:

Omega-3 fatty acids can be utilized as a substrate for the synthesis of series 3 prostaglandins (a subclass of eicosanoids), and are generally considered "anti-inflammatory" for this reason. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids are so named for having a double bond at the 3rd carbon from the omega end. They are generally found in fish and flax and chia seeds, while omega-6 fatty acids are in poultry and vegetable oils.

Example Question #2 : Fatty Acids

If arachidonic acid is used as a substrate for eicosanoid synthesis, what type of eicosanoid can be produced?

Possible Answers:

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2)

Thromboxane A3 (TXA3)

Thromboxane A1 (TXA1)

Prostaglandin I3 (PGI3)

Correct answer:

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2)

Explanation:

Arachidonic acid (AA) is used as a substrate for series 2 eicosanoid synthesis, including thromboxane A2 (TXA2). Series 3 eicosanoids are synthesized from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and series 1 are synthesized from dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA).

Example Question #1 : Fatty Acids

Which of the following is true of eicosanoids produced from alpha-linolenic acid?

Possible Answers:

Their production is increased by adding vegetable oil in the diet

They produce a weak platelet aggregation response

They produce a strong platelet aggregation response

They are considered pro-inflammatory

A decreased amount is recommended for those with high risk of heart disease

Correct answer:

They produce a weak platelet aggregation response

Explanation:

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is utilized to produce series 3 eicosanoids. Series 3 eicosanoids lead to a weak platelet aggregation response, and are considered anti or less-inflammatory. Thus, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids is recommended for those with heart disease risk. Omega-3 fatty acids are primarily found in fish or flax and chia seeds, not vegetable oil, which is rich in omega-6 fatty acids.

Example Question #6 : Lipid Classifications

Micelle formation is a result of which of these?

Possible Answers:

Hydrogen bonding between water and the polar head of free fatty acids

Covalent bonding between fatty acids and water

Hydrophobic interactions with the polar head of free fatty acids

Hydrogen bonding between water and the carbon chain end of free fatty acids

Hydrophobic interactions with the carbon chain end of free fatty acids

Correct answer:

Hydrophobic interactions with the carbon chain end of free fatty acids

Explanation:

The hydrocarbon tail of free fatty acids is nonpolar, and so it interacts unfavorably with water molecules.  So, when free fatty acids are placed in a polar environment, the nonpolar tails are driven together and inward in order to avoid water molecules.  A micelle is formed from the circular formation of free fatty acids. 

Example Question #171 : Biochemistry

Increased unsaturation in a fatty acid results in __________.

Possible Answers:

increased membrane fluidity

no change with respect to membrane fluidity

an increase or decrease in fluidity dependent of the temperature

decreased membrane fluidity

no change in membrane fluidity

Correct answer:

increased membrane fluidity

Explanation:

A greater degree of unsaturation results in a disruption of van der Waals forces between fatty acid chains. This is due to the "kinks" that occur within an unsaturated fatty acid. It is easy to visualize a fatty acid membrane with kinks being less tightly packed, and therefore more fluid. This increase in fluidity is independent of temperature.

Example Question #172 : Biochemistry

Which of the following is true of an omega-6 fatty acid?

Possible Answers:

It has a double bond at the sixth position, counting from the carboxyl end of the fatty acid

It has a double bond at the sixth position, counting from the methyl end of the fatty acid

It has a single bond at the sixth position, counting from the carboxyl end of the fatty acid

It has a single bond at the sixth position, counting from the methyl end of the fatty acid

It has six double bonds located throughout the fatty acid

Correct answer:

It has a double bond at the sixth position, counting from the methyl end of the fatty acid

Explanation:

The rules for fatty acid nomenclature state that Omega 6 means that a double bond is located at the sixth position of the fatty acid - counting from the methyl end.

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