Updated on 26th Feb, 2019 rdschemistry@gmail.com Prepared By Dr.

Rupa Dey
(Mob No-8638155244/9854813489)

TDC CHEMISTRY (Honors)

(6th SEMESTER)
COURSE NO. CHMH-601
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Unit-5 Bioinorganic chemistry

(Previous Years and Additional Related Questions with Answers)

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Q: Discuss about the structure of chlorophyll and vitamin B12 with reference to porphyrin. 2+2=4
A: Chlorophyll and Vitamin B12 both have porphyrin ring. The porphyrin ring present in Chlorophyll is called Chlorin. It
contains 10 pair of π-electrons inside the ring. R1 and R2 are the ring residue connected with ring system. In Chlorin, there
is an extra pentanone ring attached to the porphyrin ring which is absent in the porphyrin rings of Vitamin B12 and
Haemoglobin.

CH3

H3C
NH N

N HN
H3C CH3

R2
R1 O

Chlorin

The porphyrin ring present in Vitamin B12 is called Corrin. The ring contains only 6 π-bonds with different ring
residues R1, R2 and R3 etc.

CH3
R1 CH3
R2 R2
H3C R1
N HN

N N CH3
R2
CH3
R3
CH3 CH3 R1

Corrin

Q: Give one example of each of a coordination compound as an anti-arthritic, anti-cancer and anti-heavy metal drugs.
1+1+1=3
A: Examples are given below.
Anti-arthritis Drug: Gold complex of N-Methylhydanton acts as anti-arthritis drug.
Anti-cancer drug: Dichlorodiammine platinum (II), [Pt(NH3)2Cl2] (aka cis-platin) acts as anti-cancer drug.
Anti-heavy metal drug: Dimercaptol (BAL) acts as anti-heavy metal drug which coordinates with heavy meats like As,
Hg, Cd, Bi etc and discard them from the body.

Q: What are the essential elements of the biological systems? Mention their importance. 1+2=3
A: The essential elements of the biological system are-

Bulk essential elements: Na, K, Mg, Ca, P, S, Cl

 Trace essential elements: Fe, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn, Mo, Se, I

Essential elements are absolutely required for the maintenance of life system. Their deficiency can cause severe
malfunctioning of life or even death. The presence of those elements provide abnormalities in the body. Without, essential
elements, the organism neither grow nor complete its life cycle.

Q: Through light on deficiency and toxicity of bio elements citing examples of Se and I. 2
A: Deficiency and toxicity of I2: Deficiency of iodine may cause a variety of conditions including Goitre (enlargement of
Thyroid gland), cretinism (disorderness in physical and mental growth), thyroid cancer etc. Deficiency during pregnancy
may lead to high pressure and mental retardation for the baby.

Iodine is toxic if taken in high quantity. The toxic effect of I2 are-

(i) Mild toxicity includes: diarrhoea, burning sensation in your mouth, nausea, vomiting
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(ii) Severe poisoning includes: swelling of your airways, turning blue (cyanosis), coma
(iii) Too much intake can cause: Hyperthyroidism which includes fast heart rate, muscle weakness etc.

Deficiency and toxicity of Se: Deficiency of Se can cause following effects

(i) The body cannot synthesise adequately some Se containing enzyme which are essential for proper
biological activity.
(ii) The risk of thyroid dysfunction and hypothyroidism increases.
(iii) It exacerbates (worsen) the detrimental effect of I2 deficiency.
(iv) It may lead to a fatal disease called Keshan Disease.

Se toxicity may leads to- vision loss or impairment, respiratory membrane irritation, bronchial inflammation and
pneumonia, renal failure, nail becomes brittle and deformed, loss of teeth etc.

Q: Can a metal be toxic as well as essential for a living being? Explain with examples. 2
A: Most of the trace elements present in biological system are essential though toxic when enter the body in excess amount.
For example: Fe is the most essential element which plays an important role in the process of respiration in
microorganisms and mammals. But excess of Fe is toxic to the body which corrodes gastrointestinal track and also damage
multi organs such as liver, kidney and heart.
Copper is also important to the body but it is very toxic to most plants, highly toxic to invertebrates and moderately
to mammals.

Q: Name one metalloporphyrin and state its bio function explaining the role of the metal ion in it. 1+2=3
A: One example of metalloporphyrin involves in biological function is haemoglobin which contains Fe metal ion in +2
oxidation states.
The function of haemoglobin in blood is to carry O2 from lung to cell and carry back CO2 and H+ to lung. Fe2+ ion
present in the porphyrin ring binds dioxygen in the 6th coordination site and carry it to the cell. The form of haemoglobin
with O2 is called oxy-haemoglobin. As the oxy-haemoglobin reaches the cell, O2 is replaced by CO2 in the 6th coordination
site and moves towards lung. The haemoglobin with CO2 is called deoxy haemoglobin.

Q: Explain the mechanism of Na+/K+ ion pump. 3

A: The process of transport of Na+ and K+ ion across the cell membrane to create a potential difference between inside and
outside the cell is called Na+/K+ ion pump. In this process, 3 Na+ ions are pumped out of the cell for every 2 K+ ions pumped
into the cell through the membrane. As a result, more positive charge builds up outside the cell compared to the inside.
In other words, a charge difference or potential difference is generated between inside and outside cell. This leads to the
formation of electrical impulses which ultimately create nerve impulses.
There is already a high concentration of Na+ outside the cell and a high concentration of K+ inside the cell. That
means those ions move against their concentration gradients which requires energy. This energy is supplied by ATP
(adenosine triphosphate). ATP releases the energy and converts to ADP.
 Fig: Na+/K+ Pump in cell

Q: Explain elemental deficiency in biological system. 1

A: Essential elements are required to maintain proper biological functions. So the deficiency of those elements leads to
various diseases and malfunctions or even death.

Q: What are the similarities in the structure of haemoglobin and myoglobin? Mention their characteristic functions. 2+2=4
A: The similarities between Haemoglobin and Myoglobin are as follows.

(i) Haemoglobin and Myoglobin both are haem proteins. Both of them contain same porphyrin ring structure.
(ii) Fe is the central metal that is present in the porphyrin ring of Haemoglobin and Myoglobin.
(iii) In case of both haemoglobin and myoglobin, the fifth coordination site is connected to the histidine residue (of
protein chain) and sixth site is connected to either O2 (in oxy-form) or H2O (in deoxy-form).
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The characteristic function of haemoglobin and myoglobin are

(i) Haemoglobin acts as oxygen carrier from lung to the tissues for metabolism and energy production.
(ii) It also carries back CO2 and H+ ion formed in the cell to lung for exhale.
(iii) Myoglobin mainly stores O2 for future requirement. It also transports O2 from lung to heart.

Q: Explain chelation therapy giving example of its application in detoxification of lead and mercury. 3
A: In chelation therapy, some chelating agents are injected to the body which form soluble, stable and non-toxic metal
complexes and then readily excreted. Chelating agents are selective in nature and binds only a specific heavy metal. Chelates
are itself non-toxic and lipophilic (soluble in lipid). Some common examples of chelating agents are BAL (British Anti
Lewisite aka Dimercaptol), Pencillamine, EDTA (ethylene diaminetetraacetate) etc.

BAL is used for the Hg poisoning. Hg forms strong metal-sulphur bond with the ligand and stable metal complex
which is later excreted by the body.
HOOC CH2 H2C COOH
H2 H2
H2C CH CH2 N C C N

HS OH HOOC CH2 H2C COOH

SH
Dimercaptol (BAL) EDTA

Pb poisoning is treated with EDTA ligand. Pb-EDTA is a soluble stable metal complex which is easily eliminated by
the body.

Q: Name the metal present in vitamin B12. State its deficiency symptoms. 2
A: The metal atom present in Vitamin B12 is Co.
The symptoms of Co deficiency are-

A swollen & inflamed tongue

Difficulty in walking
Memory loss
Cognitive difficulties such as difficulty in thinking or reasoning
Disturbed vision
Breathlessness and dizziness etc.

Q: Cis-platin shows anti-cancer property but trans-platin does not. Explain.

A: The anti-cancer activity of cis-platin is due to its inhibition in the DNA synthesis of cancer cell. Cis-platin forms bond with
the adjacent Guanine bases present in the DNA chain and thus deactivates it. This happens by the replacement of Chloro
atoms first by H2O and then by DNA bases. This is type of bonding are not possible in trans-platin because both Cl atoms
are in the opposite direction and hence trans-isomer is chemotherapeutically inactive.
 Q: what are the role of metal ion in the biological system?
A: Metal ions play vital role in biological activity. They involve in various functions of biological processes. A few are
mentioned below

1) Na+/K+ are responsible for osmotic balance in the cell.

2) Ca2+ acts as charge carrier.
3) Zn2+ is present in metalloenzymes
4) Fe and Cu involve in the respiration processes in microorganism and mammals.
5) Mg2+ is present in Chlorophyll which is essential for photosynthesis.
6) Mn is also required for the photosynthesis process.
7) Co is present in Vitamin B12 which required for normal body growth.

Q: Write two application of chelating agent in therapy.

A: Two application of chelating agent in therapy are

(i) In the treatment of heavy metal poisoning such as As, Pb, Hg, Cd, Au poisoning etc.
(ii) To remove the accumulation of large quantity of Fe and Cu when body is unable to excrete those metals
normally.

Q: Define metalloporphyrins.
A: Porphyrin is a chelating ligand which form metal complexes with Fe, Co, Mg etc. Those metal complexes of porphyrin are
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called metalloporphyrins.

Q: What is the function of Myoglobin?

A: The prime function of myoglobin is to store the O2 in the muscle tissue and supply it when required. It also involves in
transport of O2 across cell membrane.

Q: Write the biological function of Ca and Mg.

A: The biological functions of Ca and Mg are given below.
Mg: Present in chlorophyll
Involves in the energy production (ATP --->ADP) process
Activation of enzymes
Involves in DNA synthesis and hence carry information.
Maintain electrolyte balance in the body.
Ca: Charge carrier
Transmission of nervous impulses
Building block of bones and teeth
Acts as secondary messenger during cell signalling
Supports muscle contraction
Involves in blood clotting

Q: How many haem units are present in Haemoglobin?

A: Haemoglobin contains four haem units.

Q: Distinguish between Haemoglobin and Myoglobin.

A: The differences between haemoglobin and myoglobin are given below.

1) The prime function of haemoglobin is transportation of O2 and that of myoglobin is to store O2.
2) There four haem units are present in haemoglobin. That means haemoglobin is the tetramer of haem units. While
myoglobin contains only one haem unit.

Q: What is the toxic effect of CN- in Haemoglobin?

A: CN- ligand has higher tendency to form bond with Fe2+ ion in comparison to O2 and CO2. When the body comes in contact
with CN-, it immediately blocks the 6th coordination site Fe2+ ion of haemoglobin and thus inhibiting O2 to get connected.
Consequently, the body cannot take O2 inside which leads immediately to death.

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