Day 15. Replication of DNA

Day 14. Structure of nucleic acid

Day 13. Hormones

Day 12. Vitamins

Water soluble

• Metabolic:

1. B1 (thiamin)
2. B2 (riboflavin) FAD(H2)
3. B3 (niacin) NAD(H), NADP(H)
4. B5 (pantothen)
5. Biotin
6. B6 (pyridoxin)

• Blood related

1. B12 (cobalamin)
2. Folate

• Vitamin C

Fat soluble

1. Vitamin D
2. Vitamin A
3. Vitamin K
4. Vitamin E

Day 11. Recombinant DNA. Genetic testing

Day 10. Genetics of Common Diseases

• CHD
• diabetes mellitus
• cancer

Progress

I did a bit of questions of RR Biochemistry today. Well, considering biochemistry, I don't remember much of what I've been reading for a months. And also did some very stupid mistakes. But I mostly knew that if I had memorized the things better, the questions were answerable, the answers had all been in my books.

Day 9. Gene mapping and cloning

Well, I already thought that genetics seems easier, but this subject is tough for me, hard to capture.

Trying to determine where the gene is located and how far apart 2 genes are from one another.

• crossing over (in prophase I of meiosis)
• linked genes - the probability of recombination <>
• syntenic - genes on the same chromosome
• recombination frequency
• LOD scores
• linkage disequilibrium
• polymorhic markers

Gene cloning:

1. find linkage to a known markers;
2. identify protein coding regions (computers - promoter areas, exon-intron boundaries, starting codones, CG islands)
3. compare DNA sequences of these genes in affected and unaffected individuals.

Day 8. Cytogenetics

• Trisomy 21 - Down syndrome
• Trisomy 18 - Edward's syndrome
• Trisomy 13 - Patau syndrome
• Klinefelter's syndrome
• Turner syndrome

Triple screen

SRY gene

Pseudohermophroditism

Day 7. Population Genetics

p + q = 1

pxp +2 pq + qxq = 1

Allpied to autosomal recessive diseases:
pxp - frequency of normal genotype
2pq - frequency of heterozygose carrier
qxq - frequency of mutated genotype

p - frequency of normal allele
q - frequency of mutated allele

Day 6. Genetics. Single-gene Disorders.

Moved to genetics this morning. Metabolsism still needs revising and memorizing, but for the first reading, it's ok, I guess. I read Goljan's high yield notes yesterday and they didn't seem rocket science anymore, started to make sense. I mean, I actually knew something. Questions though seem tricky. The whole picture is still a bit messy. Needs lot of work.

• point mutations
• missense mutations
• nonsense mutations
• deletion/insertion mutations
• framshift mutations

AD - autosome dominant (mostly structural protein defect) (gained/lost). E.g. Achondroplasia.

AR - autosomal recessive (usually ezyme defects) E.g. Cystic fibrosis.

X-linked inheritance. (From mother to son, no father to son) E.g. Hemophilia A.

X-linked dominant inheritance (more women affected).

Mitochondrial inheritance - (all children of a sick woman are affected; men don't transmit) Leber Herditary Optic Neuropathy

Day 5. Lipid Metabolism

It goes slower now, as I've been trying to fit all the different pathways into one whole metabolism picture. But it gets messy as there are huge number of enzymes to remember and how they are controlled.
But as my online study partner said: don't get frustrated and be patient. And I'm trying to do this.
"What is important is to keep learning, to enjoy challenge, and to tolerate ambiguity. In the end there are no certain answers". I like this quota by Martina Horner.

Day 4. Glycogenesis. Glycogenolysis. Glyconeogenesis. PPP.

Day 3. TCA cycle and Oxidative Phosphorylation

• in mitochondria
• AcetylCoA (acetyl group) is completely oxidized to CO2.
• energy saved as NAHD, FADH2 and GTP
• no hormonal control as energy need doesn't depend on fed-state
• control mechanism - energy status of the cell
• enzymes in the matrix of the mitochondria, except succinate dehydrogenase (inner membrane)
• electron transport chain creates H+ gradient between two sides of the enner membrane of the mitichondra
• the H+ gradient's energy is used for making ATP

Day 2. Glycolysis

• rate-limiting enzyme - phosphofruktokinase-1

Day 1. Overview of Metabolism

• in well-fed state the main source of energy for liver - excess of amino acids.

Updates

I have been studying biochemistry for a while now. Recently found a study partner and we made a schedule which we try to follow.