Nitrogen

Metabolism Tutorial 1. What makes N2 gas so unreactive? 2. Define the tern nitrogen fixation. 3. What is the name given to the microorganisms that carry out nitrogen fixation? Give some examples of these organisms. 4. Concerning the conversion of 1 molecule of N2 to 2 molecules of ammonia, how many: (i)Electrons are required (ii)ATP are required 5. State the reactions for the following enzymes: 1. Glutamate dehydrogenase 2. Glutamine synthetase 6.Define the term essential amino acids. 7. Describe the proteasome degradation pathways of proteins. 8. Differentiate between glucogenic and ketogenic amino acids. 9. What is a transamination reaction and give an example? 10. Give the sequence of reactions required for (i) amino acids synthesis and (ii) amino acid degradation. 11. Describe how ammonia is transported to from muscle and other tissues to the liver. 12. Glutamate is metabolically converted to -ketoglutarate and NH3 by a process described as: A. deamination. B. hydrolysis. C. oxidative deamination. D. reductive deamination. E. transamination. 13. An essential coenzyme of all transamination reactions: A. ATP B. CoA C. PLP D. PRPP E. S adenosylmethionine 14. In amino acid catabolism, the first reaction for many amino acids is a(n): A. decarboxylation. B. hydroxylation. C. oxidative deamination. D. reductive amination. E. transamination.

15. Urea synthesis in mammals takes place primarily in tissues of the: A. brain. B. kidney. C. liver. D. skeletal muscle. E. small intestine 16. In amino acid catabolism, the first reaction for many amino acids is a(n): F. decarboxylation G. hydroxylation H. oxidative deamination I. reductive amination J. transamination 17. In the transamination reaction shown below, which of the following are the products, X and Y? Oxaloacetate + glutamate X + Y A. Alanine + -ketoglutarate B. Aspartate + -ketoglutarate C. Glutamate + -ketoglutarate D. Pyruvate + alanine E. Pyruvate + aspartate

18. The following statement (s) about the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into NH3 by living cells is/are TRUE: 1. It involves the transfer of 8 electrons per mol of N2. 2. It occurs in certain microorganisms, but not in humans. 3. It requires a source of electrons, normally ferredoxin. 4. It requires two key protein components, each containing iron. 19. Name 3 pancreatic proteases 20. Name the 3 organs that are involved in protein digestion. 21. What is the role of HCl in the stomach?

Past paper questions 1. a. Describe the reactions involved in the catabolism of alanine to ammonia. Include in your answer the type of reaction, reactants, products, specific enzymes and coenzymes involved. [9marks] b. The breakdown of amino acids can have serious health consequences in individuals with urea cycle enzyme deficiencies. A newly born male infant appeared normal until approximately 1-day-old when he became lethargic. Within 2 days, the infants condition progressed to severe stupor and eventually coma. Blood analyses revealed elevated levels of citrulline and glutamine, decreased levels of urea and a high blood pH. Explain these observations. (Include relevant enzyme catalyzed reactions to support your answer) [12 marks] c. Explain why a protein-free diet is NOT a treatment option for individuals with urea cycle enzyme deficiencies. [2 marks] d. Why would arginine and sodium benzoate be administered to this patient? [4 marks] 2. Explain how the reactions of the glucose alanine cycle would operate during starvation. [ 4marks] 3. What is a zymogen? [3 marks] 4. What is the role of the pancreas in the digestion of dietary proteins? [3 marks] 5. Describe how allopurinol can be used to treat gout. [3 marks] 6. a) You are a physician with a patient who is suffering from premature zymogen activation and pancreatic tissue is being damaged as a result. i. What is a zymogen? [ 3 marks] ii. What would be most effective: a chymotrypsin inhibitor, a trypsin inhibitor or an elastase inhibitor? Explain your answer. [ 2 marks] b) Concerning the urea cycle: [10 marks] i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. Name the enzyme that N-acetylglutamate is a positive allosteric activator for. Name two urea cycle enzymes located in the cytosol. State the two molecules, which provide the nitrogen atoms of urea. Which molecule provides the carbon atom of urea? Which molecule is transported out of the mitochondria? State the reaction that arginase catalyses. How many ATP molecules are required to produce 1 molecule of urea?

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There is higher than expected levels of argininosuccinate in patient X. Suggest which urea cycle enzyme patient X might be deficient in.

c) Give the reactions, cofactors and enzymes involved in alanine undergoing a transamination followed by an oxidative deamination. [6 marks] d) Concerning gout: i. What causes it? [2 marks] ii. Allopurinol inhibits xanthine oxidase. Explain how this may be a possible treatment for gout. [ 2 marks] 7. (a) Describe how dietary proteins are digested. Your answer should consist of the enzymes and organs involved. [ 20mks] (b) State the reactions catalyzed by the following enzymes: [10 Marks ; 2 mks each] (i) Glutamate dehydrogenase (ii) Glutamine synthetase (iii) Alanine transaminase (iv) Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I (v) Argininosuccinate synthetase