Biochemistry

Buffers            • Biological systems use buffers to maintain pH. • Definition: A buffer is a solution that resists a significant change in pH upon addition of an acid or a base. • Chemically: A buffer is a mixture of a weak acid and its conjugate base • Example: Bicarbonate buffer is a mixture of carbonic acid (the weak acid) and the bicarbonate ion (the conjugate base): H2CO3…

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ENZYMES The measurement of enzymes level in serum is applied in diagnostic application Pancreatic Enzymes Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory process where auto digestion of gland was noticed with activation of the certain pancreatic enzymes. Enzymes which involves in pancreatic destruction includes α-amylase, lipase etc., 1.  α-amylase (AMYs) are calcium dependent hydrolyase class  of metaloenzyme that …

Thyroid Hormones Thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) are tyrosine-based hormones produced by the follicular cells of the thyroid gland and are regulated by TSH made by the thyrotropes of the anterior pituitary gland, are primarily responsible for regulation of metabolism. Iodine is necessary for the production of T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). A deficiency of iodine leads to decreased production of T3 and T4, enlarges  the thyroid tissue and will cau…

Acids and bases can be classified as proton donors and proton acceptors, respectively. This means that the conjugate base of a given acid will carry a net charge that is more negative than the corresponding acid. In biologically relavent compounds various weak acids and bases are encountered, e.g. the acidic and basic amino acids, nucleotides, phospholipids etc. Weak acids and bases in solution do not fully dissociate and, therefore, there is an equilibrium betwe…

Glycogen Storage Diseases are genetic enzyme deficiencies associated with excessive glycogen accumulation within cells. When an enzyme defect affects mainly glycogen storage in liver, a common symptom is hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), relating to impaired mobilization of glucose for release to the blood during fasting. When the defect is in muscle tissue, weakness and difficulty with exercise result from inability to increase glucose entry into Glycolysis…