Rapid Learning for NEET PG : Biochemistry Mnemonics

Medical students face a major challenge when it comes to recalling medical terms, and applying them to answers, properly. In addition to a good NEET PG exam preparation strategy, one needs to have a good memory to remember important information, which will ultimately help in acing this competitive medical PG exam. In light of this, we’ve put together some mnemonics that many successful candidates use as a strategy to recall information. 

When used correctly, mnemonics can be effective learning aids, such as for helping you remember chemical names in biochemistry. Memory is improved by leveraging various naturally occurring processes such as visual imagery, organization, and elaborative encoding. It appears that acronyms and acrostics are among the most widely used mnemonics. Following that are the keyword method and usages of stories, songs, and imagery. Studies have found that students who learned musical jingles to remember statistical facts outperformed students who reread the facts on a chapter test. By learning basic facts with mnemonics, you will have more time for higher-level learning. 

The essential amino acids are also referred to as indispensable amino acids. Amino acids in biochemistry mnemonics are the acids that cannot be synthesized through humans and vertebrates from the metabolic intermediates. The human body doesn’t have metabolic pathways, so amino acids supply these components through an exogenous diet. The amino acids are classified either as essential or non-essential in context with nutrition and mnemonics. 

Advantages of Mnemonics

Students often face difficulty in learning the disabilities, assessing, retaining, and recalling the mnemonics information because it is complex. However, one of the easiest ways for students to deal with the challenges of learning and retaining information is through mnemonic strategies. 

• Mnemonic strategies are memory-enhancing strategies for students. 
• The mnemonic strategies are easy to understand, assess and recall because it provides visual or auditory clues for students to help make connections between the elements that further help in the examination paper. 
• Mnemonic strategies are highly effective. It allows students to understand the new information more easily and faster compared to traditional methods of learning biochemistry modules, compounds, and elements. 

How to apply mnemonics in biochemistry concepts? 

Classification of Amino acids based on the structure:

Non-polar- Aromatic – Phenylalanine  and  Tryptophan  (mnemonic- Phenil Trypathy )

Non-polar- Alkyl- Leucine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Glycine, Alanine, Methionine

(mnemonic- Lost VIP GAMe  )

Amino acid names can be learned as Phenil Trypathy Lost VIP GAMe.

A list of mnemonics is provided for reference. 

Biochemistry Mnemonics

Commonly used biochemistry mnemonics are as follows: 

Functions of Glutathione (T.M.E.D.I.C.S)

The T in functions of Glutathione refers to the transport of amino acid, M stands for Methemoglobin reduction, E standard for Erythrocyte homeostasis, D is for Detoxification of nitrogenous, halogenated, and organophosphorus compounds, I stand for Insulin Inactivation, C refers to the Coenzyme for reduction reactions and S refers to the Scavenger for toxic substances. 

Steps of Catabolism (branched chain of amino acids) 

• Transamination 
• Oxidative decarboxylation 
• Dehydrogenation 

Fasting state 

The fasting state is associated with the branched-chain of amino acids required by skeletal muscles. Muscles LIVe fast – Components are as follows: 

• Leucine 
• Isoleucine 
•  Valine 

Fabry disease

The FABRY disease presentation is as follows: 

• Ferile episodes 
• Angiokeratomas (A deficiency and Alpha galactosidase)
• Burning pain 
• Renal failure 
• Youth death 

Porphyrias (5 Ps)

The symptoms of acute intermittent porphyria are as follows:

• Pain in abdomen 
• Polyneuropathy 
• Psychological abnormalities
• Pink urine
• Precipitated by drugs

Trinucleotide repeat disorders

The Trinucleotide repeat disorders and their chemical names are as follows: 

• Trinucleotide:
• Huntington’s (CAG)
• Friedrich’s Ataxia (GAA)
• fraGile X syndrome (CGG)
• MyoTonic dystrophy (CTG)

Creatinine elevation (BUN)

The causes of Creatinine elevation (BUN) are listed as follows: 

• Azotremia (pre-renal)
• Bleeding (GI)
• Catabolic status
• Diet

Glycolysis enzymes

The components of Glycolysis enzymes are: 

• Hexokinase
• Phosphoglucose isomerase
• Phosphofructokinase (PFK)
• Aldase A
• Triosephosphate isomerase
• Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
• Phosphoglycerate mutase
• Enolase
• Pyruvate kinase

Dicarboxylic acids C2 through C10 (alpha, omega)

The common names and components of Dicarboxylic acids are as follows:

• Oxalic
• Malonic
• Succinic
• Glutaric
• Adipic
• Pimelic
• Suberic
• Azelaic
• Sebacic

Golgi complex 

The functions or Distributes proteins (SPAM) of the Golgi complex are as follows:

• Specific lysosome proteins
• Selected tyrosine and Sulfation of sugars 
• Proteoglycan assembly
• Add O-oligosugars (serine and threonine)
• Modify N-oligosugars (asparagine)

Vitamins 

The soluble vitamins (KADE) are: 

• Vitamin K
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E

Phosphorylation cascade

The phosphorylation cascade acts when the level of blood glucose is low. It becomes active with the low level of glucose in the phasted state. 

Cyclic compounds of Citric acid 

The compounds are listed as follows: 

• Oxaloacetate
• Isocitrate
• Succinyl-CoA
• Succinate
• Fumarate
• Malate
• alpha-Ketoglutarate
• Citrate

Glycolysis steps

There are various steps of Glycolysis and these are listed as follows: 

• Glucose
• Glucose-6-P
• Fructose-1,6-diP
• Dihydroxyacetone-P
• Glyceraldehyde-P
• 3-Phosphoglycerate
• 2-Phosphoglycerate (to)
• Pyruvate
• Fructose-6-P
• 1,3-Biphosphoglycerate
• Phosphoenolpyruvate [PEP]

Vitamin B 

The names of Vitamin B are as follows in increasing order: 

• Thiamine (B1)
• Riboflavin (B2)
• Niacin (B3)
• Pyridoxine (B6)
• Cobalamin (B12)

Folate deficiency 

Following are the causes of folate deficiency: 

• Alcoholism
• Oral contraceptives
• Low dietary intake
• Celiac sprue
• Dilantin
• Relative folate deficiency
• Old
• Pregnant
• Folic acid antagonists
• Infection with Giardia

Collagen

• C-terminal propeptide (procollagen)
• Covalent Cross-links
• C vitamin
• Connective tissue or Cartilage
• Chondroblasts
• Copper Cofactor (Covalent Cross-linking)
• Osteoblasts
• Osteogenesis imperfecta
• Lysyl hydroxylase
• hydroxylysine residues 
• Long triple-helical fibers
• Ligaments
• Alpha chains
• Glycosylation of hydroxyl group 
• Extracellular matrix
• Eye (cornea, sclera)
• Ehlers-Danlos

AcetylCoA and acetate acetyl CoA (A LyTr Lels)

The amino acids that form Acetyl CoA and acetacetyl CoA are as follows: 

• A=AcetylCoA or Acetoacetyl CoA
• Ly=Lysine
• Tr=Tryptophan
• Le=Leucine
• Is=Isoleucine

Van den Bergh reaction 

Van den Bergh’s reaction is also known as the Jaundice test. In the test, Unconjugated bilirubin = Indirect reacting bilirubin. 

Enzymes

Enzymes are competitive inhibitors. The competition in enzymes is difficult because they have to travel from one place to another with the constant or same velocity altogether. The competitive inhibitors have the same velocity but the kilometers increase one after the other. 

Adrenaline mechanism

The ABC of Adrenaline is explained with the following equation: 

Adrenaline–> activates Beta receptors–> increases Cyclic AMP

It shows that adrenaline activates the beta receptors in our body that increase the cyclic AMB and it causes adrenaline. 

Tay Sach’s

Tay Sach’s features are as follows: 

• Spot in macula
• Ashkenazi Jews
• CNS degeneration
• Hex A deficiency
• Storage disease
• Extra details with TAY:
• Testing recommended
• Autosomal recessive/ Amaurosis
• Young death 

Malate-aspartate shuttle

Malate in Alpha-ketoglutarate and D (Aspartate) out.

Purines

Purines are guardian angels with two wings because they are pure. The two rings or wings of the purines are Guanine and Adenine. 

Metabolic acidosis

The causes of the metabolic acidosis raised due to the anion gap (MUDPILES) are as follows: 

• Methanol
• Uraemia
• Diabetic ketoacidosis 
• Propylene glycol
• Isoniazid
• Lactate
• Ethylene glycol
• Salicylates

Conclusion

When you learn mnemonics, learning boring and complex names becomes fun. The use of mnemonics in exams such as NEET PG saves a lot of time and gives students confidence.