Which is the primary energy molecule that gives approximately 7.3 kcal/mol?
ATP is generated in the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) specifically by which enzyme?
Which of the following is a natural uncoupler found in brown adipose tissue?
What is a physiological uncoupler?
Reducing equivalents produced in glycolysis are transported from cytosol to mitochondria by ?
Which of the following is an aldose?
The energy for glycogenesis is provided by -
Hexokinase is inhibited by?
Gluconeogenesis occurs in all except:
In type IA Maple Syrup Urine Disease, which gene mutation is responsible?
NEET-PG 2013 - Biochemistry NEET-PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 41: Which is the primary energy molecule that gives approximately 7.3 kcal/mol?
- A. ATP (Correct Answer)
- B. GTP
- C. Glucose-6-phosphate
- D. Creatine phosphate
Explanation: ***ATP*** - **Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)** is the primary energy currency of the cell, providing approximately **7.3 kcal/mol** upon hydrolysis of its terminal phosphate group. - This energy is released when ATP is converted to **ADP (adenosine diphosphate)** and an inorganic phosphate (Pi), driving various cellular processes. *GTP* - **Guanosine triphosphate (GTP)** is another nucleotide triphosphate that carries energy, but it is primarily involved in specific processes like **protein synthesis** and **signal transduction**, not as the ubiquitous primary energy molecule like ATP. - While it also releases energy upon hydrolysis, its standard free energy change is similar to ATP but it's not the main universal energy carrier. *Glucose-6-phosphate* - **Glucose-6-phosphate** is an important intermediate in **glycolysis** and **gluconeogenesis**, but it is not an energy-storing molecule in the same way as ATP. - Its high-energy phosphate bond is used in metabolic pathways, but it doesn't directly release 7.3 kcal/mol as a direct energy source for cellular work. *Creatine phosphate* - **Creatine phosphate** serves as an energy reserve in muscle and nerve cells, rapidly generating ATP from ADP during periods of intense activity. - While it is a high-energy phosphate compound, it functions to **replenish ATP** rather than being the direct energy molecule that performs cellular work.
Question 42: ATP is generated in the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) specifically by which enzyme?
- A. Cl- ATPase
- B. ADP Kinase
- C. FoF1 ATPase (Correct Answer)
- D. Na+/K+ ATPase
Explanation: ***FoF1 ATPase*** - The **FoF1 ATPase**, also known as **ATP synthase**, is the complex enzyme responsible for synthesizing ATP using the **proton gradient** generated by the electron transport chain. - The **Fo subunit** forms a channel that allows protons to flow back into the mitochondrial matrix, driving the rotation of the **F1 subunit** which catalyzes ATP synthesis from ADP and inorganic phosphate. *Na+/K+ ATPase* - This enzyme is a **pump** that actively transports **three sodium ions out** of the cell and **two potassium ions into** the cell, maintaining membrane potential. - It uses **ATP hydrolysis** as its energy source, meaning it **consumes ATP** rather than producing it directly in the ETC. *Cl- ATPase* - **Cl- ATPase** refers to a family of pumps that transport **chloride ions**, typically using ATP hydrolysis as an energy source. - These enzymes are involved in ion homeostasis and fluid balance, but they do **not generate ATP** in the electron transport chain. *ADP Kinase* - **ADP Kinase** is a general term for enzymes that catalyze the phosphorylation of ADP to ATP, often by transferring a phosphate group from another high-energy molecule. - While it produces ATP, it is not the specific enzyme that directly harnesses the **proton gradient** in the electron transport chain for oxidative phosphorylation.
Question 43: Which of the following is a natural uncoupler found in brown adipose tissue?
- A. Thermogenin (Correct Answer)
- B. 2,4-Nitrophenol
- C. 2,4-Dinitrophenol
- D. Oligomycin
Explanation: ***Correct: Thermogenin*** - Also known as **uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)**, it is a **mitochondrial inner membrane protein** naturally expressed in **brown adipose tissue** - Thermogenin creates a **proton leak** across the inner mitochondrial membrane, bypassing ATP synthase and dissipating the proton gradient as heat, thereby mediating **non-shivering thermogenesis** - This is the only natural uncoupler among the options listed *Incorrect: 2,4-Nitrophenol* - This compound is **not a naturally occurring uncoupler** in mammalian tissues - While it can act as a synthetic uncoupler in laboratory settings, it is not found in biological systems *Incorrect: 2,4-Dinitrophenol* - This is a well-known **synthetic chemical uncoupler** of oxidative phosphorylation, historically used as a weight-loss drug (now banned due to toxicity) - It works by carrying protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, but it is **not a natural biological molecule** found in the body *Incorrect: Oligomycin* - Oligomycin is an **inhibitor of ATP synthase (Complex V)**, not an uncoupler - It binds to the F0 subunit of ATP synthase, blocking the flow of protons through the enzyme and thereby preventing ATP synthesis - This blocks both the proton gradient dissipation AND ATP production, which is mechanistically different from uncoupling
Question 44: What is a physiological uncoupler?
- A. Thyroxine
- B. Free fatty acids
- C. Thermogenin (Correct Answer)
- D. All of the options
Explanation: ***Correct: Thermogenin*** - **Thermogenin (uncoupling protein 1, UCP1)** is the primary physiological uncoupler found in brown adipose tissue - It directly facilitates the **leak of protons** back into the mitochondrial matrix, bypassing ATP synthase - This dissipates the **proton-motive force as heat** rather than producing ATP, making it the classic example of non-shivering thermogenesis - Essential for **temperature regulation** in neonates and cold adaptation in adults *Incorrect: Free fatty acids* - While free fatty acids can activate UCP1 and act as weak protonophores in some contexts, they are primarily **substrates for β-oxidation** and **activators** of thermogenin - They are not considered the primary physiological uncoupler, though they support uncoupling activity *Incorrect: Thyroxine* - **Thyroid hormone** increases metabolic rate and can upregulate the **expression of uncoupling proteins** - However, it does **not directly uncouple** oxidative phosphorylation - It acts as a metabolic regulator rather than a true uncoupler *Incorrect: All of the options* - Only thermogenin is the true physiological uncoupler by definition - The other substances play supportive or regulatory roles but are not direct uncouplers
Question 45: Reducing equivalents produced in glycolysis are transported from cytosol to mitochondria by ?
- A. Carnitine
- B. Creatine
- C. Malate-aspartate shuttle (Correct Answer)
- D. Glutamate shuttle
Explanation: ***Malate shuttle*** - The **malate-aspartate shuttle** is a primary mechanism for transporting **NADH reducing equivalents** from the cytosol to the mitochondrial matrix for **oxidative phosphorylation**. - It involves a series of **enzymes and transporters** that indirectly move electrons from NADH by converting **oxaloacetate to malate** in the cytosol, which then enters the mitochondria. *Carnitine* - **Carnitine** is primarily involved in the transport of **long-chain fatty acids** into the mitochondrial matrix for **beta-oxidation**. - It is not directly involved in the shuttle of NADH reducing equivalents generated during glycolysis. *Creatine* - **Creatine** and its phosphorylated form, **phosphocreatine**, are crucial for **energy buffering and transport** in tissues with high and fluctuating energy demands, like muscle and brain. - The creatine-phosphocreatine shuttle facilitates the rapid regeneration of ATP, but it is not involved in transporting glycolytic reducing equivalents. *Glutamate shuttle* - While glutamate and aspartate are components of the **malate-aspartate shuttle**, there isn't a standalone "glutamate shuttle" for transporting glycolytic reducing equivalents. - The **glutamate-aspartate transaminase** is an enzyme within the malate-aspartate shuttle, converting oxaloacetate to aspartate and alpha-ketoglutarate to glutamate from the matrix to the cytosol.
Question 46: Which of the following is an aldose?
- A. Fructose
- B. Erythrulose
- C. Glucose (Correct Answer)
- D. None of the options
Explanation: ***Glucose*** - An **aldose** is a monosaccharide containing an **aldehyde group** (—CHO) in its open-chain form. - **Glucose** possesses an aldehyde group at carbon-1 and is therefore classified as an aldose. *Fructose* - **Fructose** is a **ketose**, meaning it contains a **ketone group** (C=O) in its open-chain structure, typically at carbon-2. - While it is a monosaccharide, its functional group differentiates it from aldoses. *Erythrulose* - **Erythrulose** is a **ketotetrose**, meaning it is a four-carbon sugar with a **ketone group**. - Unlike aldoses, which have an aldehyde group, erythrulose's defining characteristic is its ketone functional group. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because **Glucose** is indeed an aldose, fitting the definition of having an aldehyde functional group. - Therefore, there is a correct option provided among the choices.
Question 47: The energy for glycogenesis is provided by -
- A. GTP
- B. GDP
- C. UTP (Correct Answer)
- D. AMP
Explanation: ***UTP*** - **Uridine triphosphate (UTP)** is essential for **glycogenesis** as it activates glucose by forming **UDP-glucose** from glucose-1-phosphate. - The reaction (Glucose-1-P + UTP → UDP-glucose + PPi) creates a **high-energy intermediate** that drives glycogen synthesis. - The subsequent hydrolysis of pyrophosphate (PPi) makes this activation step **irreversible**, and the energy stored in UDP-glucose is used for **glycosidic bond formation** when glucose is added to the growing glycogen chain. *GTP* - **Guanosine triphosphate (GTP)** is primarily involved in **protein synthesis**, G-protein signaling, and the citric acid cycle. - It is not used for glucose activation in glycogenesis; that role is specific to **UTP**. *GDP* - **Guanosine diphosphate (GDP)** is a product of GTP hydrolysis and functions in regulatory processes. - It does not serve as an energy donor for glycogen synthesis. *AMP* - **Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)** is a low-energy signal molecule that indicates cellular energy depletion. - High AMP levels **inhibit glycogenesis** and activate glycogenolysis through allosteric regulation of key enzymes. - It does not provide energy for anabolic pathways like glycogen synthesis.
Question 48: Hexokinase is inhibited by?
- A. Glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) (Correct Answer)
- B. Glucose
- C. Insulin
- D. Glucagon
Explanation: ***Glucose-6-phosphate (G6P)*** - Hexokinase is subject to **feedback inhibition** by its product, **glucose-6-phosphate**, preventing the accumulation of high levels of G6P inside the cell. - This regulatory mechanism ensures that glycolysis does not proceed unchecked when energy needs are met or when G6P levels are already sufficient. *Glucagon* - **Glucagon** is a hormone that generally promotes **glucose production** and release, primarily by stimulating gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, rather than directly inhibiting hexokinase. - Its effects on glucose metabolism are more about increasing blood glucose levels than directly regulating the initial step of glycolysis in most tissues. *Glucose* - **Glucose** is the **substrate** for hexokinase, meaning it is the molecule that hexokinase acts upon to convert it into glucose-6-phosphate. - Therefore, glucose does not inhibit hexokinase; instead, its presence is necessary for the enzyme's activity. *Insulin* - **Insulin** is a hormone that promotes **glucose uptake** and utilization by cells, often by increasing the number of glucose transporters on cell surfaces. - While insulin can indirectly influence glycolysis by increasing glucose availability, it does not directly inhibit hexokinase; rather, it generally supports cellular glucose metabolism.
Question 49: Gluconeogenesis occurs in all except:
- A. Muscle (Correct Answer)
- B. Kidney
- C. Gut
- D. Liver
Explanation: ***Muscle*** - **Muscle tissue** lacks the enzyme **glucose-6-phosphatase**, which is essential for releasing free glucose into the bloodstream during gluconeogenesis. - While muscle can store glycogen, it primarily uses glucose for its own energy needs and does not contribute significantly to systemic glucose homeostasis through gluconeogenesis. *Liver* - The **liver** is the primary site of **gluconeogenesis**, producing glucose to maintain blood glucose levels during fasting and starvation. - It contains all the necessary enzymes, including **glucose-6-phosphatase**, to convert precursors like lactate, amino acids, and glycerol into glucose. *Kidney* - The **kidney** becomes a significant site of **gluconeogenesis** during prolonged fasting, contributing up to 10-20% of the body's glucose production. - Renal gluconeogenesis primarily utilizes **lactate** and **glutamine** as substrates. *Gut* - The **small intestine (gut)** has been identified as a site of **gluconeogenesis**, particularly following a meal rich in protein. - Its contribution is relatively smaller compared to the liver but plays a role in **postprandial glucose homeostasis**.
Question 50: In type IA Maple Syrup Urine Disease, which gene mutation is responsible?
- A. BCKDHB
- B. DBT
- C. DLD
- D. BCKDHA (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***BCKDHA*** - **Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)** type IA is caused by a mutation in the **BCKDHA gene**, which codes for the E1α subunit of the **branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKD) complex**. - This **enzyme complex** is crucial for the metabolism of **branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)**: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. *BCKDHB* - The **BCKDHB gene** codes for the E1β subunit of the **BCKD complex**. - Mutations in **BCKDHB** are associated with **type IB MSUD**, not type IA. *DBT* - The **DBT gene** codes for the E2 subunit (dihydrolipoyl transacylase) of the **BCKD complex**. - Mutations in **DBT** are responsible for **type II MSUD**. *DLD* - The **DLD gene** codes for the E3 subunit (dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase), which is a component shared by several **α-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes**. - Mutations in the **DLD gene** lead to **type III MSUD** and other pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiencies, rather than type IA.