Which one of the following has the maximum ionization potential?
True statement about vitamin K is?
Mechanism of cyanide poisoning is by inhibiting:
NEET-PG 2013 - Biochemistry NEET-PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 131: Which one of the following has the maximum ionization potential?
- A. Helium ion (Correct Answer)
- B. Hydrogen ion
- C. Neutron
- D. Helium atom
Explanation: ***Helium ion (He⁺)*** - The question asks about ionization potential, which is the energy required to remove an electron from a species. A **helium ion (He⁺)** has already lost one electron, leaving only one electron bound very tightly to the nucleus with 2 protons. - The **second ionization energy of helium** (removing an electron from He⁺) is the **highest of any element** because the remaining electron experiences the full +2 nuclear charge with no shielding from other electrons. This requires approximately **54.4 eV** of energy. - This is significantly higher than the first ionization energy of any neutral atom, making He⁺ the species with the maximum ionization potential among the given options. *Hydrogen ion (H⁺)* - A **hydrogen ion (H⁺)** is a bare proton with **no electrons remaining**. Since ionization potential refers to the energy needed to remove an electron, and H⁺ has no electrons to remove, this option is technically not applicable. - However, if interpreted as asking about the hydrogen atom (H), its first ionization energy is 13.6 eV, which is much lower than the second ionization energy of helium. *Neutron* - **Neutrons** are subatomic particles with **no electric charge** and are not atoms or ions. They exist within atomic nuclei. - Since ionization potential specifically refers to removing an electron from an atom or ion, and neutrons have no electrons, they **do not have an ionization potential**. This option is not scientifically applicable to the question. *Helium atom (He)* - A neutral **helium atom** has two electrons in its 1s orbital. While helium has the **highest first ionization energy among all neutral atoms** (24.6 eV) due to its stable, filled electron shell, this is still less than half the energy required to remove an electron from He⁺ (54.4 eV). - The first ionization energy of helium is lower than the second ionization energy because removing the first electron from a neutral atom involves less electrostatic attraction than removing an electron from an already positively charged ion.
Question 132: True statement about vitamin K is?
- A. Vitamin K is needed for action of clotting factor 8
- B. Vitamin K deficiency leads to DVT
- C. Vitamin K is water soluble
- D. Vitamin K affects bone health by activating proteins that bind calcium (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Vitamin K affects bone health by activating proteins that bind calcium*** - Vitamin K plays a crucial role in **osteocalcin activation**, a protein essential for integrating calcium into the bone matrix. - This activation process involves **gamma-carboxylation of glutamic acid residues** on osteocalcin, allowing it to bind calcium and strengthen bone. *Vitamin K is needed for action of clotting factor 8* - Vitamin K is essential for the activation of **clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X**, as well as proteins C and S, through gamma-carboxylation. - **Factor VIII** (antihemophilic factor A) is not directly dependent on vitamin K for its activation. *Vitamin K deficiency leads to DVT* - Vitamin K deficiency primarily leads to **impaired blood clotting** and an increased risk of bleeding, not DVT. - DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is typically associated with **hypercoagulable states**, venous stasis, or endothelial injury. *Vitamin K is water soluble* - Vitamin K is a **fat-soluble vitamin**, meaning it is absorbed with fats in the diet and stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver. - Water-soluble vitamins include **B vitamins and vitamin C**, which are not stored to the same extent and are excreted in urine.
Question 133: Mechanism of cyanide poisoning is by inhibiting:
- A. Mitochondrial DNA synthesis
- B. ATP production
- C. Electron transport chain
- D. Cytochrome oxidase (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Cytochrome oxidase*** - Cyanide poisoning works by **irreversibly binding** to the ferric ion (Fe3+) in **cytochrome c oxidase** (Complex IV) of the electron transport chain. - This binding prevents the enzyme from carrying electrons to oxygen, thereby **halting cellular respiration** and ATP production. *Mitochondrial DNA synthesis* - While mitochondria are affected, cyanide does not primarily disrupt **DNA synthesis** in these organelles. - Its main target is the process of energy generation, not genetic replication. *ATP production* - Although cyanide poisoning ultimately leads to a **cessation of ATP production**, this is the *consequence* of its action, not the primary mechanism. - The direct mechanism involves inhibiting a key enzyme in the electron transport chain. *Electron transport chain* - Cyanide does indeed inhibit the **electron transport chain**, but this option is too broad. - The most specific mechanism targets a particular complex within the chain, which is **cytochrome oxidase**.