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The major focus will be on the METABOLISM material (material since the last exam and approximately 80% of the points).
The remaining ~20% of the points will come from questions concerning proteases (general action‐you do not have to
memorize Table 3‐6), peptide bonds, amino acids, and functional/ionizable groups (playbook + molecular checklist).
Let me make the following observations concerning the metabolism part of the exam:
#1: Every page of notes tells a story or part of a story. Do you know the narrative and the details? Some of the pages
were more about the “big picture” of metabolism and others provided a great deal of information. I never ask you for
more details than I gave you or we discussed in class. However, to determine if you really understand the details, I can
ask you to apply the information to certain situations. Information on the handouts I provided in that packet (Glycolysis,
etc.) are fair game and the PRACTICE questions are a good way to dig into the notes and practice the application
questions. Also, I have also provided a specific list of suggested problems in the back of chapters 14, 15, and 16 (key for
each chapter is also provided). See the METAB module in Canvas for all of this goodness.
#2: I want to make a special plea for you to know the net reactions for the pathways presented in the notes/handouts.
These net reactions provide special insight into the pathways. You also need to know the functions of the various enzyme
types (provided in a handout).
#3: If a metabolic enzyme was emphasized in the notes, you need to know the details provided (especially if the enzyme
was under regulation or was given a special name). You do not need to “memorize” the structure of any intermediates. IN
FACT, I HAVE PROVIDED YOU (ON CANVAS) A GLYCOLYSIS‐KREB’S STRUCTURE GUIDE that has all of the structures in these
and associated pathways and SOME of the names of the intermediates. This guide does NOT have any enzymes, cofactors
or CO2 that may be released. You should be able to supply this information. You will get this EXACT guide on the exam (a
clean copy provided by me). I may give you other structures on the exam as well for you to consider. Overall, whether an
intermediate or reactions are in the provided guide or given to you separately, you will need to be able to answer the
following types of questions:
‐What type of reaction is the conversion of X to Y?
‐What type of enzyme will catalyze this reaction?
‐Which cofactors or other substrates might be needed?
‐Which chemical design element(s) does this reaction represent (what is the goal of the reaction)?
‐Propose a mechanism (flow of electrons) for the conversion of X to Y (this will be along the lines of the mechanisms we
discussed in class/longshot/practice).
#4: Let’s face it, the regulation of the metabolic pathways can get complicated. NEVER forget that the beauty of the
metabolic pathways is revealed through their complexity (embrace complexity!). I have provided two metabolic
regulation overview documents (focused on GLUCAGON and INSULIN‐‐METAB section in Canvas) to help you see how
regulation of the discussed pathways is an integrated process. You may want to make your own metabolic map(s)‐hint,
hint. I would envision some True/False and discussion questions concerning the big picture and specifics of
insulin/glucagon action during the “fed” and “fasting” state. Again, this is all about narrative and the stories revealed by
plots. If given a plot related to metabolic enzyme action, can you describe the main conclusions and takeaways of the
plot?
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#5: Studying the handouts and the notes are a great idea. However, many people suffer from a condition rampant on
college campuses. This condition is called detail blindness. A student can study a set of notes and feel confident that
he/she knows the material and has a firm grasp on the details of the ideas/topics. However, when the exam comes it is
revealed that the student (when really pressed to provide/know/apply details) had some significant gaps in knowledge
(they failed to pick up on needed details or failed to properly provide them on the exam). This condition is especially
prevalent when trying to learn the vastness that is the metabolic pathways. In my opinion, a good way for students to
help combat detail blindness is to engage the notes/handouts at a deeper level by answering many practice questions.
Some of these questions may not necessarily be ones that would be found on the final exam but will help one dig deeper
into the notes and make connections among the pathways and regulatory mechanisms. As mentioned in #1 above, I have
provided you several PRACTICE/SUGGESTED problems to help in this area.
#6: I have given you a ton of handouts, guides, and overviews and I realize that it may be confusing what exactly you will
be GIVEN for the exam. You will get the exam, the usual pKa Table (I will autograph that for you, if you want..ha ha), and
the Glycolyis‐Kreb’s Structure Guide.
#7: How would I approach studying for this final exam? I would make sure that I had all the handouts, the Glycolysis‐
Kreb’s structure guide, and the Insulin/Glucagon overview maps available and march through the notes. Most of the
notes have a “legend” to tell you which pathway is under consideration. Every time I encountered a page of notes related
to a particular pathway, I would also consult the handout(s) related to that pathway (and the structure guide if related to
Glycolysis/Kreb’s). As mentioned above, each page of notes tells a story (you may benefit from rewriting the notes or part
of the notes in a way that you can better understand/remember). You should be asking yourself these questions: Do I
know the narrative? Do I know important details (ex. net reactions)? Do I know how this information fits into the big
picture of metabolism? What is the provided plot telling me about a particular metabolic enzyme/event? Can I sketch a
secondary plot related to a given plot?
The next thing I would do is spend some time with the provided Glycolysis‐Kreb’s structure guide. You should be able to
start at Glucose, and just based on given structures, move forward and predict what types of reactions are taking place,
the enzyme type needed, and any needed cofactors. Each metabolic intermediate has a number for identification
purposes. Ask a random stranger to pick a number from 1 to 22 and then go to that intermediate and explain to that
person what type of reaction may have formed this intermediate and what type of reaction is likely in store for this
intermediate (this is a great way to make new friends). The next thing I would do is spend some time with the many
PRACTICE/SUGGESTED problems. If you need to consult the notes, handouts, etc. that is fine as these problems may help
you “see” the notes in a different, more in‐depth way. In the end, you can consult the key and read what I have written
for the answer. Clearly, there is not time to have so many discussion questions on the exam, so think about how these
PRACTICE questions that are discussion based might be “translated” into True/False or multiple‐choice questions.
What’s next? DO EVERYTHING AGAIN and start constructing possible questions that arise (or you think would be good
exam questions) and ask a classmate to answer your questions.
#8: I will have office hours on Saturday afternoon and a ZOOM session on Sunday night. I will send out an E‐mail about
specific times.
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#9. The following gives you an overview of the three sections of the exam.
PART ONE:
True/False Questions (no explanation)
Example:
Question T or F
Glycogenin makes most of the alpha(1‐4) linkages in Glycogen. ○ T ○ F
ANSWER: This is FALSE.
PART TWO:
True/False Questions (EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER). If the answer is FALSE, explain why it is false (or why is it
important that this is false). If the answer is TRUE, explain why it is true (or why it is important that it is true).
Example:
There is a net two‐electron redox process when a glucose molecule is FALSE
converted to two molecules of pyruvate in glycolysis.
Good Explanation: The conversion of glucose to 2 molecules of pyruvate also yields two
molecules of NADH. Since each NADH molecule carries TWO electrons (from a hydride ion), this
is a FOUR‐electron redox process and NOT a two‐electron process.
Bad Explanation: Because two electrons are not transferred.
PART THREE: explain, discuss, sketch, predict, rank, analyze, multiple choice, etc.
A) various questions about plots, metabolic pathways (+ regulation), metabolic reactions, metabolic
intermediates, and mechanisms
B) there is a ten‐question amino acid extravaganza section
C) the final mystery question is quite lovely and relies on your ability to integrate material and answer questions
related to molecular literacy (CH. 1 module in Canvas).