KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2014/2015

EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE-MECULAR &
CELL BIOLOGY
SBT 272: BIOCHEMISTRY OF TUMOURS
INSTRUCTIONS
SECTION A: Answer All Questions (1 Mark each)
For each of the following multiple choices, choose the most appropriate answer:
1. Normal skin fibroblasts that have been cultured in vitro;
A. Do not divide and proliferate in the absence of growth factors found in
serum.
B. Divide and proliferate in the presence of growth factors found in serum.
C. Both (A) & (B)
D. None of the above
2. Tumour tissues can be determined to be benign or malignant through;
A. Microscopic Observations
B. Biomarker Staining
C. Cell Culture
D. All of the above
3. The most common group of receptors implicated in several cancers belong to the
tyrosine kinase family except
A. EGF
B. FGF
C. DGF
D. PDGF
4. During Cellular stress, p53 protein acts by regulating cell cycle progression through;
A. Forming a tetrameric complex
B. DNA repair

C. Both (A) & (B)

D. None of the above
5. Cytochrome C interacts with the following molecule to recruit and activate caspase 9
forming the apoptosome
A. APAF1
B. SMAC
C. DIABLO
D. AIF
6. The Viral oncoprotein Bcr-Abl acts as a substrate for;
A. C-crk
B. Ras
C. GTPase
D. None of the above
7.

Tumour cells release vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which;

A. Does not diffuse to nearby tissues.
B. Binds to receptors on endothelial cells of blood vessels.
C. Both (A) & (B).
D. None of the above.

8. Ras acts as a binary switch binding;

A. GDP in an inactive state
B. GTP in an inactive state
C. Both (A) & (B)
D. None of the above
9. External apoptotic signalling is mediated by;
A. BCL2
B. p53
C. Both (A) & (B)

D. None of the above

10. Repeat DNA sequences that protect the linear end of chromosomes are refered to as;
A. Capsomeres
B. Telomeres
C. Ligases
D. Codons
11. To generate potent anti-tumour immunity, antigen-presenting cells, most notably DCs,
must undertake a number of processes except;
A. Stimulate CD8+ & CD4+ T Cells.
B. Capture tumour antigens.
C. Process tumour antigens into MHC class I & MHC class II.
D. Induce tolerance programmes such as anergy.
12. During radioactive decay, which of the following are released;
A. Gamma () rays
B. Alpha () rays
C. Beta () rays
D. All of the above
13. Cells infected with a viral oncoprotein v-sis tend to release platelet derived growth
factor-like oncoproteins in;
A. Larger amounts than normal cells
B. Lower amounts than normal cells
C. Normal amounts as normal cells
D. None of the above.
14. Individuals who develop Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) contain cancerous
myeloid cells which all;
A. Contain both G6PD-A & G6PD-B.
B. Contain either G6PD-A & G6PD-B.
C. Do not contain either G6PD-A & G6PD-B.

D. Have downregulation of Ras.

15. Cancer cells escape from immunosurveillance through
A. Altering their characteristics
B. Suppressing the immune response
C. Outspacing the Immune response
D. All of the above
16. The main cellular strategy used by cancer cells in achieving growth factor autonomy
is
A. Changes in extracellular growth signals
B. Changes in transcellular mediators of the receptors
C. Changes in intracellular signaling messengers that stimulate proliferation.
D. All the above.
17. Electromagnetic radiation includes
A. X rays and rays
B. Microwaves
C. Ultra violet Light
D. All the above
18. Immunotherapy has successfully targeted various tumour antigens except;
A. ERBB2
B. CTLA4
C. CD30
D. CD17
19. Which of the following is not a unit of measuring Radiation.
A. Sievert (Sv)
B. Joules/Kg (J/Kg)
C. Amps (A)
D. Gray (Gy)

20. Which of the following is not a treatment for Prostate Cancer

A. Cabazitaxel
B. Mitoxantrone
C. Propolis
D. Sulfamethoxazole
SECTION B: Answer ALL Questions (5 Marks each)
1. With appropriate examples, differentiate between Immunotherapy and Hormone
therapy.
2. Describe the role of Genetics in cancer development.
3. Explain the two types of repair of DNA double strand breaks (dsb) in human cells.
4. With illustrations, describe the immune mediated tumour cell killing.
5. Explain the two types of Apoptotic sensing with appropriate examples.
6. Fill in the Table:
Susceptibility Genes

Type of Cancer

hMLH1&2, IGF
BRCA 1 & 2, TP53
BRCA 1 & 2, hMLH1&2
HPC2
CYP1A1

SECTION C: Answer Any Two Questions (10 Marks Each)

1. Write an essay on the Hallmarks of Cancer giving various Biochemical Molecules and
genes examples
2. Describe the use, limitations and effects of Chemotherapy to treat Cancer citing
appropriate examples.
3. Describe the use, limitations and effects of Radiotherapy to treat Cancer citing
appropriate examples.