Your Biochemistry Rank-Maker Day
Hey, future AIIMS Nursing Officers! Day 182 at logyanlo.in is your ultimate Biochemistry & Nutrition masterclass for AIIMS NORCET 2025, RRB Staff Nurse, JIPMER, SGPGI & DSSSB. We're covering the 8 most repeated topics: Vitamins Deficiency/Toxicity, Minerals, Food-Borne Illnesses, Electrolytes, Energy Balance/BMR/TEE, Urinary Chemistry, Fats/Omega-3 PUFAs, & Cell Biology/Cell Cycle. These appear in every shift – nail them and lock 15–20 marks! Let's dominate 2025 with our Nursing Test Series!
Why Biochemistry & Nutrition Is Exam Gold
Biochemistry& Nutrition = easy 15–20 marks:
- High weightage in AIIMS NORCET & RRB exams
- Vitamin deficiencies & electrolyte imbalances are favourite "scenario" questions
- Food-borne illnesses & cell cycle appear in both theory + diagram-based sections
- BMR calculations & urinary chemistry are direct 1-mark questions every year
logyanlo.in gives you only the high-yield, rank-making points!
Key Topics in Biochemistry & Nutrition Nursing
Vitamins: Deficiency + Toxicity (A, B1, B3, B9, B12, C, D, K)
Quick Fact
Vitamin deficiencies are the most repeated biochemistry questions in nursing exams.
- Vitamin A: Deficiency – night blindness, xerophthalmia, Bitot's spots | Toxicity – hypercalcaemia, teratogenic
- B1 (Thiamine): Deficiency – beriberi (wet/dry), Wernicke-Korsakoff | Toxicity – rare
- B3 (Niacin): Deficiency – pellagra (4Ds: dermatitis, diarrhoea, dementia, death) | Toxicity – flushing, hepatotoxicity
- B9 (Folate): Deficiency – megaloblastic anaemia, neural tube defects | Toxicity – masks B12 deficiency
- B12 (Cobalamin): Deficiency – pernicious anaemia, subacute combined degeneration | Toxicity – rare
- Vitamin C: Deficiency – scurvy (bleeding gums, petechiae) | Toxicity – renal stones
- Vitamin D: Deficiency – rickets (children), osteomalacia (adults) | Toxicity – hypercalcaemia, nephrocalcinosis
- Vitamin K: Deficiency – prolonged PT/INR, haemorrhagic disease of newborn | Toxicity – rare (haemolysis)
- Exam Pearl: Pellagra (B3) = 4Ds classic.
Minerals (Iron, Iodine, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium)
Quick Fact
Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common mineral deficiency worldwide.
- Iron: Functions – haemoglobin synthesis | Deficiency – microcytic hypochromic anaemia, pica | Clinical signs – koilonychia, glossitis
- Iodine: Functions – thyroid hormone synthesis | Deficiency – goitre, cretinism, hypothyroidism
- Sodium: Functions – extracellular fluid balance | Deficiency – hyponatraemia (confusion, seizures) | Excess – hypernatraemia (dehydration)
- Potassium: Functions – membrane potential, cardiac rhythm | Deficiency – hypokalaemia (U waves, arrhythmias) | Excess – hyperkalaemia (peaked T waves)
- Calcium: Functions – bone health, muscle contraction | Deficiency – hypocalcaemia (tetany, Chvostek sign) | Excess – hypercalcaemia (stones, bones, groans)
- Exam Pearl: Hypokalaemia ECG = U waves.
Food-Borne Illnesses (Aflatoxin, Botulism, Listeria, E. coli)
Quick Fact
Botulism is the only food-borne illness causing descending paralysis.
- Aflatoxin: Source – Aspergillus (peanuts, corn) | Clinical – acute liver failure, hepatoma | Toxin – aflatoxin B1
- Botulism: Source – C. botulinum (canned food) | Clinical – cranial nerve palsy, descending paralysis, no fever | Treatment – antitoxin
- Listeria: Source – unpasteurised dairy, deli meats | Clinical – meningitis in pregnant/neonates/elderly | Risk – listeriosis in pregnancy
- E. coli: Source – undercooked beef, contaminated water | Types – ETEC (traveller's diarrhoea), EHEC O157:H7 (HUS) | Clinical – bloody diarrhoea, haemolytic uremic syndrome
- Exam Pearl: Botulism = canned food + double vision + no fever.
Electrolytes: Cation/Anion Basics
Quick Fact
Normal anion gap = 8–12 mEq/L; high gap >12 indicates metabolic acidosis.
- Cations: Na+ (135–145), K+ (3.5–5.0), Ca2+ (8.5–10.5), Mg2+ (1.7–2.2)
- Anions: Cl- (98–107), HCO3- (22–28), PO4 3- (2.5–4.5)
- Anion Gap: Na - (Cl + HCO3) | High gap acidosis – MUDPILES (methanol, uremia, DKA, paraldehyde, isoniazid/iron, lactate, ethylene glycol, salicylates)
- Low Gap: Multiple myeloma (paraproteins), hypoalbuminaemia
- Exam Favourite: DKA = high anion gap metabolic acidosis.
Energy Balance, BMR, TEE
Quick Fact
BMR = energy expended at rest; TEE = BMR + activity + thermic effect of food.
- BMR Calculation: Harris-Benedict equation – males: 88.362 + (13.397 × weight kg) + (4.799 × height cm) - (5.677 × age)
- TEE Components: BMR (60–70 %), physical activity (20–30 %), thermogenesis (10 %)
- Energy Balance: Positive = weight gain, negative = weight loss
- Clinical: Obesity = positive energy balance, malnutrition = negative
- Exam Pearl: BMR decreases with age, increases with muscle mass.
Urinary Chemistry (Low SG, Ketone Bodies)
Quick Fact
Normal urine SG = 1.010–1.025; low SG <1.010 indicates dilute urine.
- Low Specific Gravity: DI (central/nephrogenic), overhydration, chronic renal failure
- Ketone Bodies: Positive in DKA, starvation, low-carb diets
- Nitroprusside Test: Detects acetoacetate (misses beta-hydroxybutyrate)
- Clinical Signs: Ketonuria + glycosuria = DKA; isolated ketonuria = starvation
- Exam Tip: Low SG + polyuria = diabetes insipidus.
Fats, Omega-3 PUFAs, Triglycerides
Quick Fact
Omega-3 PUFAs reduce triglycerides by 20–50 %.
- Fats: Saturated (animal sources), unsaturated (plant sources), trans fats (processed)
- Triglycerides: Normal <150 mg/dL; high = cardiovascular risk
- Omega-3: EPA/DHA (fish oil) – anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective
- Functions: Energy storage, cell membrane structure, hormone synthesis
- Clinical: High triglycerides + low HDL = metabolic syndrome
- Exam Pearl: Fish oil = omega-3 source for triglycerides.
Cell Biology & Cell Cycle
Quick Fact
Cell cycle G1 phase is the longest; M phase = mitosis.
- Organelles: Nucleus (DNA), mitochondria (ATP), ER (protein synthesis), Golgi (packaging)
- DNA Replication: S phase, semi-conservative, DNA polymerase
- Mitosis Phases: Prophase (chromosome condensation), metaphase (alignment), anaphase (separation), telophase (nuclear reformation)
- Meiosis: Reduction division for gametes, crossing over in prophase I
- Exam Favourite: Mitosis = 4 phases, meiosis = 8 phases.
Mini FAQ: Biochem 2025 Hacks
Q: Pellagra 4Ds? → Dermatitis, diarrhoea, dementia, death
Q: High anion gap acidosis mnemonic? → MUDPILES
Q: Normal urine SG? → 1.010–1.025
Q: BMR increases with? → Muscle mass
Q: Mitosis phases? → Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
Why logyanlo.in?
Your 2025 biochemistry rank partner with free PYQs, diagram quizzes & Telegram community!
Conclusion: Your Biochem Marks Are Locked!
Day 182 just gave you the complete biochemistry package. Keep practising daily on our Daily Question Bank and watch your name in the merit list!
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