Biochemistry · USMLE Step 1

USMLE Biochemistry: Cellular Organelles and Trafficking

Organelle function and intracellular protein trafficking pathways tested on USMLE Step 1.

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What is the primary function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?
Synthesizes and folds proteins destined for secretion, the plasma membrane, or other organelles
What is the primary function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?
Lipid/steroid synthesis and detoxification of drugs and toxins
Which type of cell has abundant smooth ER?
Steroid hormone-producing cells (e.g., adrenal cortex, Leydig cells)
Which type of cell has abundant rough ER?
Cells that secrete large amounts of protein, such as plasma cells
What is the general function of the Golgi apparatus?
Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for their final destination
Which organelle does the cis face of the Golgi apparatus face?
The endoplasmic reticulum
Which structure does the trans face of the Golgi apparatus face?
The plasma membrane
In the Golgi, lysosomal enzymes are tagged with ____ to direct them to the lysosome.
mannose-6-phosphate
I-cell disease is caused by a deficiency of which enzyme?
N-acetylglucosaminyl-1-phosphotransferase
What happens to lysosomal enzymes in I-cell disease?
They are secreted out of the cell instead of being delivered to lysosomes
Proteins bearing the ____ sequence are retrieved and retained in the endoplasmic reticulum.
KDEL
What does the signal recognition particle (SRP) do?
Binds a signal sequence on a nascent protein and directs the ribosome to the rough ER
COPII-coated vesicles transport cargo in which direction?
From the ER to the Golgi (anterograde)
COPI-coated vesicles transport cargo in which direction?
From the Golgi back to the ER (retrograde)
What proteins do free (cytosolic) ribosomes synthesize?
Proteins that stay in the cytosol or are imported into the nucleus, mitochondria, or peroxisomes

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