Essential vs. non-essential amino acids — MCQs

Essential vs. non-essential amino acids — MCQs

Essential vs. non-essential amino acids — MCQs
10 questions
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Q1

A 6-month-old boy is brought to a pediatrician by his parents for his first visit after they adopt him from a European country. His parents are concerned about the boy’s short episodes of shaking of his arms and legs; they believe it might be epilepsy. They also note that the child is less responsive than other children of his age. The family is unable to provide any vaccination, birth, or family history. His pulse is 130/min, respiratory rate is 28/min, and blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg. The boy has a light skin tone and emits a noticeable musty body odor. Which of the following should be supplemented in this patient’s diet?

Q2

You are counseling a mother whose newborn has just screened positive for a deficit of phenylalanine hydroxylase enzyme. You inform her that her child will require dietary supplementation of which of the following?

Q3

A student is experimenting with the effects of nitric oxide in the body. He used a variety of amino acid isolates and measured the resulting nitric oxide levels and the physiological effects on the body. The amino acids function as substrates for nitric oxide synthase. After supplement administration, blood vessels dilated, and the systemic blood pressure decreased. Which of the following amino acids was used in this study?

Q4

A 2-month-old boy is brought to his pediatrician’s office to be evaluated for new onset seizures and poor weight gain. The patient’s father says he is unable to track with his eyes and is unresponsive to verbal stimuli. The patient is hypotonic on physical exam. Further studies show elevated serum lactate levels and elevated levels of alanine and pyruvate. Family history reveals that several distant family members suffered from neurological diseases and died of unknown causes at a young age. Which of the following amino acids should be increased in this patient’s diet?

Q5

A 9-month-old infant presents to your office for a check-up. Exam reveals developmental delay, microcephaly, and a mousy odor to his breath. You should be concerned that the infant may have which of the following?

Q6

A 3-month-old infant is brought to her pediatrician for a well-child visit. The infant was born to a 22-year-old mother via a spontaneous vaginal delivery at 38 weeks of gestation in her home. She moved to the United States approximately 3 weeks ago from a small village. She reports that her infant had 2 episodes of non-bloody and non-bilious vomiting. The infant's medical history includes eczema and 2 seizure episodes that resolved with benzodiazepines in the emergency department. Physical examination is notable for a musty body odor, eczema, and a fair skin complexion. Which of the following is the best next step in management?

Q7

An investigator is studying nutritional deficiencies in humans. A group of healthy volunteers are started on a diet deficient in pantothenic acid. After 4 weeks, several of the volunteers develop irritability, abdominal cramps, and burning paresthesias of their feet. These symptoms are fully reversed after reintroduction of pantothenic acid to their diet. The function of which of the following enzymes was most likely impaired in the volunteers during the study?

Q8

A 10-day-old infant with MSUD is admitted with lethargy, poor feeding, and plasma leucine of 2000 μmol/L (normal <200). Despite BCAA-free formula, the infant's condition worsens with encephalopathy. The neonatology team proposes hemodialysis, while the genetics team suggests continuing medical management with high-calorie IV fluids. The family is concerned about invasive procedures. Evaluate the optimal management strategy.

Q9

A research study compares three siblings with homocystinuria: one responds to pyridoxine therapy, one responds to betaine, and one requires both treatments plus dietary restriction. All have elevated homocysteine but different methionine levels. Analyze which underlying molecular mechanism best explains the variable treatment responses among these siblings.

Q10

A 4-year-old boy presents with dark urine that turns black upon standing. His parents report that his diapers developed dark stains since infancy. Physical examination is otherwise normal. Urine analysis shows elevated homogentisic acid. What metabolic consequence is this patient at risk for developing in adulthood?

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