NEET-PG 2015 - Biochemistry Practice Questions

Q: Aminolevulinic acid is a metabolic product in the synthesis of -

Heme. ***Heme*** - **Aminolevulinic acid (ALA)** is the first committed precursor in the **heme biosynthesis pathway**. - Its formation from succinyl CoA and glycine is catalyzed by **ALA synthase**, which is the rate-limiting enzyme. *Tryptophan* - **Tryptophan** is an essential amino acid and a precursor for molecules like **serotonin**, **melatonin**, and **niacin**. - Its synthesis does not involve aminolevulinic acid. *Collagen* - **Collagen** is a structural protein primarily composed of amino acids such as **glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline**. - Its synthesis pathway is distinct and does not utilize aminolevulinic acid. *Glycosaminoglycans* - **Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)** are long, unbranched polysaccharides consisting of repeating disaccharide units, significant components of the **extracellular matrix**. - Their synthesis involves various sugars and enzymes, but not aminolevulinic acid.

Q: Which is an inhibitor of ferrochelatase ?

Lead. ***Lead*** - **Lead** is a potent environmental toxin that directly inhibits the enzyme **ferrochelatase**, preventing the insertion of **iron** into **protoporphyrin IX** to form heme. - This inhibition leads to the accumulation of **protoporphyrin IX** and can cause **anemia** due to impaired **heme synthesis**. *Mercury* - While **mercury** is a heavy metal and neurotoxin, its primary mechanism of toxicity does not involve direct inhibition of **ferrochelatase**. - Its effects are more commonly associated with protein denaturation and enzyme inactivation through binding with **sulfhydryl groups**. *Iron* - **Iron** is a substrate for **ferrochelatase**, not an inhibitor. **Ferrochelatase** catalyzes the insertion of **iron** into **protoporphyrin IX** to complete the synthesis of **heme**. - Deficiencies or excesses of **iron** can affect **heme synthesis**, but **iron** itself does not inhibit the enzyme in a toxic manner. *Arsenic* - **Arsenic** is a metalloid that is toxic through various mechanisms, including interference with cellular respiration and DNA repair. - However, **arsenic** is not known to be a direct inhibitor of **ferrochelatase** in the same way **lead** is.

Q: Bile acids consist of all of the following except -

Bilirubin. ***Bilirubin*** - **Bilirubin** is a pigment formed from the breakdown of **heme**, not a bile acid. - It is excreted in bile but does not aid in **lipid digestion** or **absorption**. *Lithocholic acid* - **Lithocholic acid** is a **secondary bile acid** formed in the colon by bacterial dehydroxylation of chenodeoxycholic acid. - It is still considered a bile acid, despite its secondary nature. *Deoxycholic acid* - **Deoxycholic acid** is a **secondary bile acid** formed by bacterial action on cholic acid in the colon. - Like other bile acids, it plays a role in **fat digestion** and **absorption**. *Chenodeoxycholic acid* - **Chenodeoxycholic acid** is a **primary bile acid** synthesized in the liver from cholesterol. - It is one of the main bile acids directly involved in **emulsifying dietary fats**.

Q: Which of the following statements is true regarding the functions of cAMP and cGMP?

They are both second messengers.. ***They are both second messengers.*** - **cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate)** and **cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate)** are crucial intracellular signaling molecules. - They relay signals from **first messengers** (like hormones or neurotransmitters) received at the cell surface to intracellular targets, thus acting as second messengers. *They act on membrane receptors.* - **cAMP** and **cGMP** are *produced* in response to activation of **membrane receptors** by first messengers, but they themselves do not act directly on these receptors. - Their action is primarily *intracellular*, binding to and activating various enzymes and proteins like **protein kinases**. *All of the above statements are true* - This statement is incorrect because the claim that they act on membrane receptors is false. - Only one of the statements provided is accurate regarding the functions of cAMP and cGMP. *They act by post-translational modification.* - While cAMP and cGMP can lead to **post-translational modification** (e.g., phosphorylation by protein kinases A and G), they are not themselves the direct modifiers. - They act as **allosteric regulators** of enzymes, which then catalyze the modifications.

Q: Which of the following is not a free radical?

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). ***Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)*** - **Hydrogen peroxide** is a **reactive oxygen species (ROS)** but is not a free radical because it has **no unpaired electrons** in its outermost shell. - While it can be converted into the highly reactive hydroxyl radical via the **Fenton reaction**, it is stable enough to be transported across membranes. *Superoxide anion (O₂⁻)* - The **superoxide anion (O₂⁻)** is a free radical because it has an **unpaired electron** in its outer shell. - It is one of the primary **reactive oxygen species** formed during cellular metabolism and can damage cellular components. *Nitric oxide (NO·)* - **Nitric oxide** is an important **free radical** with a single **unpaired electron** in its molecular structure. - It functions as a vital signaling molecule in vascular biology, regulating blood pressure and neurotransmission, despite being a free radical. *Hydroxyl radical (·OH)* - The **hydroxyl radical (·OH)** is one of the most reactive and damaging **free radicals** in biological systems. - It has a single **unpaired electron**, making it highly unstable and able to react indiscriminately with virtually all types of biomolecules.

Q: Calcium absorption is hampered by

Phytates. ***Phytates*** - **Phytates** (phytic acid) found in whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds bind to calcium, forming an insoluble complex that significantly **reduces its absorption** in the intestines. - This binding prevents the free calcium ions from crossing the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. *Protein* - **Protein** generally *enhances* calcium absorption, especially when consumed in moderate amounts, as some amino acids can form soluble calcium complexes. - However, very high protein intake, particularly from animal sources, *may* slightly increase urinary calcium excretion in the long term, but it does not directly hamper intestinal absorption. *Lactose* - **Lactose**, a sugar found in milk, is known to *enhance* calcium absorption. - It does so by creating a more acidic environment in the small intestine and by forming soluble complexes with calcium, making it more bioavailable. *Acid* - **Stomach acid** (hydrochloric acid) is crucial for calcium absorption as it helps to solubilize calcium salts from food. - A *reduced* acidic environment, such as from antacid use or certain medical conditions, would hamper calcium absorption, but acid itself is beneficial.

Q: Chymotrypsinogen is activated into chymotrypsin by:

Trypsin. ***Activation of Chymotrypsinogen by Trypsin*** - **Trypsin** is the primary enzyme responsible for the activation of **chymotrypsinogen** into its active form, **chymotrypsin**, by cleaving a specific peptide bond. - This activation is part of a cascade of proteolytic enzyme activations in the **pancreatic juice**, crucial for protein digestion in the small intestine. *Pepsin* - **Pepsin** is a protease active in the **stomach**, requiring an acidic environment for its activity, and is involved in the initial breakdown of proteins. - It does not play a role in the activation of pancreatic zymogens like chymotrypsinogen; its primary function is protein digestion in the gastric lumen. *Renin* - **Renin** is an enzyme primarily involved in the **renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system** (RAAS), which regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. - Its action involves cleaving **angiotensinogen** to form angiotensin I, and it has no role in the activation of digestive enzymes like chymotrypsinogen. *HCl* - **Hydrochloric acid (HCl)** is produced in the stomach and is essential for providing the acidic environment required for **pepsin's activity** and for denaturing proteins. - While HCl is crucial for digestion, it does not directly activate chymotrypsinogen; this activation is an enzymatic process carried out by another protease.

Q: Prolyl hydroxylase requires which cofactor?

Vitamin C. ***Vitamin C*** - **Prolyl hydroxylase** is an enzyme critical for the hydroxylation of proline residues during **collagen synthesis**. - **Vitamin C** (ascorbic acid) acts as an essential **cofactor**, reducing the ferric iron of the enzyme back to its ferrous state after each catalytic cycle, enabling continued activity. - The enzyme requires both **iron (Fe²⁺)** as a metal cofactor and **vitamin C** to maintain the iron in its reduced state. *Iron (Fe²⁺)* - While **iron** is indeed required by prolyl hydroxylase as a **metal cofactor**, the question asks for the cofactor, which specifically refers to **vitamin C**. - Iron functions as part of the enzyme's active site, but vitamin C is the reducing agent that keeps iron functional. - Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) leads to defective collagen synthesis despite adequate iron. *Molybdenum* - **Molybdenum** is a cofactor for several human enzymes, including **xanthine oxidase** and **sulfite oxidase**. - However, it plays no direct role in the activity of prolyl hydroxylase. *Vitamin K1* - **Vitamin K1** is a crucial cofactor for **gamma-glutamyl carboxylase**, an enzyme involved in the carboxylation of glutamic acid residues in clotting factors. - It is not involved in the hydroxylation of proline by prolyl hydroxylase.

Q: What type of bond is involved in the side chain linkage of proteoglycans?

Covalent. ***Covalent*** - Proteoglycans are formed by **glycosaminoglycan (GAG)** chains that are covalently linked to a protein core. - Specifically, an **O-glycosidic bond** forms between a xylose residue on the GAG chain and a serine residue on the core protein. *Hydrogen bond* - **Hydrogen bonds** are weaker intermolecular forces that stabilize protein secondary structures and interactions between water molecules. - They are not strong enough to form the primary structural linkage between the GAG chains and the core protein in proteoglycans. *Electrostatic bond* - **Electrostatic bonds**, or ionic bonds, involve attraction between oppositely charged ions. While proteoglycans have many charged groups, these bonds are not the primary linkage connecting the GAG chains to the protein core. - They contribute to the overall structure and interactions of proteoglycans with other molecules but do not form the main side chain linkage. *Van-der Waal's force* - **Van der Waals forces** are weak, short-range intermolecular forces that arise from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution. - These forces play a role in tertiary and quaternary protein structure and molecular packing, but they are far too weak to establish the covalent attachments of GAG chains to the proteoglycan core protein.

Q: Which of the following statements are true regarding the visual cycle cascade?

All of the options are true. ***All of the statements are true*** The visual cycle cascade involves multiple interconnected events in phototransduction: **Light causes isomerization of 11-cis-retinal to all-trans-retinal** - This is the **primary photochemical event** that initiates vision - Light absorption causes the **cis-trans isomerization** in less than a picosecond - This conformational change is the only light-dependent step in the entire cascade **Retinal is involved in the visual cycle** - **11-cis-retinal** serves as the chromophore bound to opsin forming rhodopsin - After isomerization to **all-trans-retinal**, it must be converted back to 11-cis-retinal - This regeneration occurs through the **retinoid cycle** involving RPE cells **Involves a conformational change in opsin** - The isomerization of retinal triggers **conformational changes in opsin** - This converts rhodopsin to **metarhodopsin II** (the active form) - Activated opsin then activates **transducin** (G-protein), amplifying the signal and leading to hyperpolarization of photoreceptor cells All three statements accurately describe essential components of the visual cycle cascade.

Question 1

Aminolevulinic acid is a metabolic product in the synthesis of -

Accepted Answer

Heme

Answer

Tryptophan

Answer

Collagen

Answer

Glycosaminoglycans

Question 2

Which is an inhibitor of ferrochelatase ?

Accepted Answer

Lead

Answer

Mercury

Answer

Iron

Answer

Arsenic

Question 3

Bile acids consist of all of the following except -

Accepted Answer

Bilirubin

Answer

Lithocholic acid

Answer

Deoxycholic acid

Answer

Chenodeoxycholic acid

Question 4

Which of the following statements is true regarding the functions of cAMP and cGMP?

Accepted Answer

They are both second messengers.

Answer

All of the above statements are true

Answer

They act on membrane receptors.

Answer

They act by post-translational modification.

Question 5

Which of the following is not a free radical?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

Answer

Superoxide anion

Answer

Nitric oxide (NO·)

Answer

Hydroxyl radical (.OH)

Question 6

Calcium absorption is hampered by

Accepted Answer

Phytates

Answer

Protein

Answer

Lactose

Answer

Acid

Question 7

Chymotrypsinogen is activated into chymotrypsin by:

Accepted Answer

Trypsin

Answer

Pepsin

Answer

Renin

Answer

HCl

Question 8

Prolyl hydroxylase requires which cofactor?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin C

Answer

Iron (Fe²⁺)

Answer

Molybdenum

Answer

Vitamin K1

Question 9

What type of bond is involved in the side chain linkage of proteoglycans?

Accepted Answer

Covalent

Answer

Hydrogen bond

Answer

Electrostatic bond

Answer

Van-der Waal's force

Question 10

Which of the following statements are true regarding the visual cycle cascade?

Accepted Answer

All of the options are true

Answer

Light causes isomerization of 11-cis-retinal to all-trans-retinal

Answer

Retinal is involved in the visual cycle

Answer

Involves a conformational change in opsin

NEET-PG 2015 — Biochemistry