Biochemistry
6 questionsWhich of the following requires vitamin B12?
Which enzyme is primarily associated with the reduction of NADP+ to NADPH in the pentose phosphate pathway?
What are digestive enzymes classified as?
Which isoenzyme of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is predominantly elevated in liver injury?
What is the specific activity of an enzyme?
Which of the following GAG is not sulfated?
NEET-PG 2012 - Biochemistry NEET-PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 431: Which of the following requires vitamin B12?
- A. Conversion of serine to lysine
- B. Conversion of serine to glycine
- C. Conversion of glutamine to glutamate
- D. Conversion of homocysteine to methionine (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Homocysteine to methionine*** - The conversion of **homocysteine to methionine** is catalyzed by **methionine synthase**, an enzyme that requires **vitamin B12** (cobalamin) as a cofactor. - **Vitamin B12** facilitates the transfer of a methyl group from **methyltetrahydrofolate** to homocysteine, forming methionine. *Conversion of serine to lysine* - The metabolism of **serine to lysine** involves multiple steps and different enzymes, but it does not directly require **vitamin B12**. - Lysine is an **essential amino acid** and is primarily obtained from dietary sources or synthesized through complex pathways. *Conversion of serine to glycine* - The conversion of **serine to glycine** is catalyzed by **serine hydroxymethyltransferase**, which requires **tetrahydrofolate (THF)** as a cofactor, not vitamin B12. - This reaction generates **5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate**, an important one-carbon donor. *Conversion of glutamine to glutamate* - The conversion of **glutamine to glutamate** is primarily catalyzed by **glutaminase**, an enzyme that does not require **vitamin B12**. - This reaction involves the removal of an **ammonia group** from glutamine to form glutamate.
Question 432: Which enzyme is primarily associated with the reduction of NADP+ to NADPH in the pentose phosphate pathway?
- A. G6PD (Correct Answer)
- B. APDH
- C. α-keto glutarate dehydrogenases
- D. None of the options
Explanation: ***G6PD*** - **Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)** catalyzes the first committed step in the pentose phosphate pathway, converting **glucose-6-phosphate** to **6-phosphogluconolactone**. - This reaction involves the reduction of **NADP+ to NADPH**, making G6PD the primary enzyme for NADPH production in this pathway. *APDH* - **APDH (adenosine phosphosulfate reductase)** is involved in sulfur metabolism and has no direct role in the pentose phosphate pathway or NADPH production. - This enzyme primarily functions in prokaryotes for the **reduction of APS (adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate)**. *α-keto glutarate dehydrogenases* - **Alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase** is a mitochondrial enzyme part of the **Krebs cycle**, converting **alpha-ketoglutarate to succinyl-CoA**. - This enzyme is crucial for ATP production and generates **NADH**, not NADPH, in its reaction. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because **G6PD** is indeed the primary enzyme responsible for NADPH generation in the pentose phosphate pathway.
Question 433: What are digestive enzymes classified as?
- A. Hydrolases (Correct Answer)
- B. Oxidoreductases
- C. Transferases
- D. Ligases
Explanation: ***Hydrolases*** - Digestive enzymes like **amylase**, **lipase**, and **proteases** break down complex food molecules by adding water, a process known as **hydrolysis**. - This class of enzymes catalyzes the cleavage of a chemical bond with the concurrent addition of a water molecule. - All major digestive enzymes belong to this class according to the **EC enzyme classification system**. *Oxidoreductases* - These enzymes catalyze **redox reactions**, involving the transfer of electrons from one molecule to another. - Examples include **dehydrogenases** and **oxidases**, which are not primarily involved in breaking down food molecules in digestion. *Transferases* - Transferases catalyze the transfer of functional groups (such as methyl, acyl, or phosphate groups) from one molecule to another. - Examples include **kinases** and **transaminases**, which are involved in metabolic pathways but not in the digestive breakdown of food. *Ligases* - Ligases are enzymes that catalyze the joining of two large molecules by forming a new chemical bond, typically with the concomitant hydrolysis of ATP. - They are involved in **DNA repair** and **biosynthetic reactions**, not in the breakdown of food during digestion.
Question 434: Which isoenzyme of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is predominantly elevated in liver injury?
- A. LDH-3
- B. LDH-5 (Correct Answer)
- C. LDH-1
- D. LDH-2
Explanation: ***LDH-5 isoenzyme most significant in hepatic conditions*** - **LDH-5** is the predominant isoenzyme found in the **liver** and skeletal muscle. - An elevation of **LDH-5** is highly indicative of **hepatocellular damage** or injury. *LDH-1 isoenzyme associated with cardiac tissue* - **LDH-1** is primarily present in the **heart** and red blood cells. - Its elevation suggests conditions like **myocardial infarction** or hemolytic anemia, not liver injury. *LDH-3 isoenzyme typical in respiratory system* - **LDH-3** is found in the **lungs**, kidneys, and other tissues. - While it can be elevated in **pulmonary embolism** or renal disease, it is not specific for liver injury. *LDH-2 isoenzyme linked to erythrocyte metabolism* - **LDH-2** is abundant in **red blood cells** and also found in the heart and kidneys. - Elevations are often seen in conditions involving **hemolysis** or myocardial damage, similar to LDH-1.
Question 435: What is the specific activity of an enzyme?
- A. Enzyme units per mg of protein (Correct Answer)
- B. Concentration of substrate transformed per minute
- C. Enzyme units per mg of substrate
- D. Limit of enzyme per gram of substrate
Explanation: ***Enzyme units per mg of protein*** - **Specific activity** is defined as the number of **enzyme units** (representing catalytic activity) per milligram of total protein in the sample. - It is a measure of **purity**, indicating the amount of active enzyme relative to other proteins in a preparation. - Formula: Specific activity = Units of enzyme activity / mg of total protein - Used to track enzyme purification progress during isolation procedures. *Concentration of substrate transformed per minute* - This describes the **reaction velocity** or rate of catalysis, but not the specific activity of the enzyme. - While related to enzyme activity, it does not normalize the activity to the amount of **total protein**. - This would be expressed as reaction rate or velocity (V), not specific activity. *Enzyme units per mg of substrate* - This is an incorrect formulation that confuses substrate with protein. - **Specific activity** is normalized to the amount of **protein** in the enzyme preparation, not the substrate. - This option represents a common misconception in enzyme kinetics terminology. *Limit of enzyme per gram of substrate* - This phrase does not correspond to any standard biochemical measure of enzyme activity or concentration. - It does not provide information about the **catalytic efficiency** or **purity** of the enzyme preparation. - The term "limit" is not used in the context of specific activity measurements.
Question 436: Which of the following GAG is not sulfated?
- A. Keratan sulfate
- B. Dermatan sulfate
- C. Chondroitin sulfate
- D. Hyaluronic acid (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Hyaluronic acid*** - **Hyaluronic acid** is unique among glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) because it is the only one that is **not sulfated**. - It also distinguishes itself by being the only GAG that does **not form proteoglycans** and is not synthesized in the Golgi apparatus. *Chondroitin sulfate* - **Chondroitin sulfate** is a sulfated glycosaminoglycan that is a major component of the **extracellular matrix**, particularly in cartilage. - Its sulfate groups contribute to its **negative charge**, allowing it to attract water and provide resistance to compression. *Dermatan sulfate* - **Dermatan sulfate** is another sulfated GAG, found predominantly in the skin, blood vessels, and heart valves. - It contains **sulfate groups**, which are crucial for its interactions with various proteins and its role in tissue structure. *Keratan sulfate* - **Keratan sulfate** is a sulfated GAG found in the cornea, cartilage, and bone. - It is distinct from other GAGs due to its **lack of uronic acid** and the presence of sulfate groups.
Pathology
1 questionsA mutation in the transthyretin (TTR) protein causes which of the following types of amyloidosis?
NEET-PG 2012 - Pathology NEET-PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 431: A mutation in the transthyretin (TTR) protein causes which of the following types of amyloidosis?
- A. Familial Mediterranean fever
- B. Dialysis associated amyloidosis
- C. Prion protein associated amyloidosis
- D. Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy*** - This condition is specifically caused by **mutations in the transthyretin (TTR) protein**, leading to amyloid deposition primarily in nerves [1]. - It presents with **peripheral neuropathy**, including sensory and autonomic symptoms, which align with TTR mutations [1]. *Familial Mediterranean fever* - This is an autoinflammatory disorder caused by mutations in the **MEFV gene**, unrelated to transthyretin. - It is characterized by recurrent **fever, abdominal pain**, and **serositis**, not amyloidosis caused by TTR. *Prion protein associated amyloidosis* - Relates to prion diseases like **Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease**, caused by abnormal **prion proteins** rather than TTR [1]. - Symptoms are usually **neurodegenerative** in nature, not linked to familial amyloidogenic processes. *Dialysis associated amyloidosis* - This form of amyloidosis is due to the accumulation of **beta-2 microglobulin**, not mutations in TTR [1]. - Commonly presents with **joint pain** and carpal tunnel syndrome associated with long-term dialysis [1]. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Diseases of the Immune System, p. 266.
Physiology
3 questionsWhich of the following statements about gastric secretion is true?
What is the body's first physiological response to hypoglycemia?
Ptyalin is secreted by?
NEET-PG 2012 - Physiology NEET-PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 431: Which of the following statements about gastric secretion is true?
- A. Inhibited by curare
- B. Stimulated by nor adrenaline
- C. Increased by stomach distention (Correct Answer)
- D. Stimulated by an increase in tonic activity
Explanation: ***Increased by stomach distention*** - **Stomach distention** activates local reflexes and the **vagovagal reflex**, leading to the release of **acetylcholine** and **gastrin**, which stimulate gastric acid secretion during the gastric phase. - This is a physiological response that prepares the stomach for digestion of incoming food. *Inhibited by curare* - **Curare** is a **nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist** that primarily affects neuromuscular junctions, causing muscle paralysis. - It does not directly inhibit the primary mechanisms of gastric acid secretion, which are largely mediated by **muscarinic acetylcholine receptors**, histamine, and gastrin. *Stimulated by nor adrenaline* - **Noradrenaline** (norepinephrine) is a neurotransmitter of the **sympathetic nervous system**, which generally **inhibits** gastric motility and secretion. - Activation of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors can decrease gastric acid secretion. *Stimulated by an increase in tonic activity* - This statement is vague; "tonic activity" can refer to various physiological processes. If it refers to **sympathetic nervous system** tonic activity, it would **inhibit** gastric secretion. - If it implies increased vagal tone (parasympathetic activity), then secretion would be stimulated, but the phrasing is not precise enough to be unequivocally true for gastric secretion in general.
Question 432: What is the body's first physiological response to hypoglycemia?
- A. Decreased insulin (Correct Answer)
- B. Increased glucagon
- C. Increased cortisol
- D. Increased norepinephrine
Explanation: ***Decreased insulin*** - **Decreased insulin secretion** is the body's **first and earliest** physiological response to falling blood glucose levels, occurring at approximately **80-85 mg/dL**. - This represents the **primary defense mechanism** against hypoglycemia - by reducing insulin release from pancreatic beta cells, the body removes the most potent glucose-lowering stimulus. - This allows blood glucose to stabilize before it drops further, and occurs **before** any active counterregulatory hormones are released. - This is a critical **first-line defense** that prevents the need for more aggressive counterregulatory responses. *Increased glucagon* - **Glucagon** is the **second line of defense** against hypoglycemia, with secretion increasing at glucose levels around **65-70 mg/dL**. - While glucagon is the most important **active counterregulatory hormone** (stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis), it is not the *first* response. - The temporal sequence is: insulin suppression occurs first, followed by glucagon release if glucose continues to fall. *Increased cortisol* - **Cortisol** is a late counterregulatory hormone, responding to more severe or prolonged hypoglycemia (glucose <65 mg/dL). - It promotes gluconeogenesis and reduces peripheral glucose utilization over hours, not minutes. - Along with growth hormone, cortisol provides sustained glucose elevation but is not an early response. *Increased norepinephrine* - **Norepinephrine** (and epinephrine) are part of the sympathetic/adrenomedullary response to hypoglycemia at approximately **65-70 mg/dL**. - These catecholamines provide important counterregulation but are activated after insulin suppression has already occurred. - They contribute to both glucose mobilization and the symptomatic (adrenergic) response to hypoglycemia.
Question 433: Ptyalin is secreted by?
- A. Gastric gland
- B. Salivary gland (Correct Answer)
- C. Duodenal gland
- D. Pancreatic gland
Explanation: ***Salivary gland*** - **Ptyalin**, also known as **salivary amylase**, is an enzyme produced by the salivary glands. - Its primary role is to initiate the **digestion of carbohydrates** (starches) in the mouth. *Gastric gland* - Gastric glands primarily secrete **hydrochloric acid** and **pepsinogen**, involved in protein digestion. - They do not produce ptyalin or enzymes for carbohydrate digestion. *Duodenal gland* - Duodenal glands (Brunner's glands) secrete alkaline mucus to protect the duodenum from acidic chyme. - They are not involved in the production of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes like ptyalin. *Pancreatic gland* - The pancreas produces **pancreatic amylase**, which continues starch digestion in the small intestine. - While it secretes an amylase, it is distinct from salivary amylase (ptyalin) and released into the duodenum, not the mouth.