Question 1

Needs Marking
Degradation of amino acids yields compounds that are common intermediates
in the major metabolic pathways. Explain the distinction between glucogenic
and ketogenic amino acids in terms of their metabolic fates.
Answer
Selected
Answer:
Correct
Answer:

Glucogenic amino acids are used in gluconeogenesis and the

production of glucose.
Ketogenic amino acids are used in the production of ketone bodies.
The glucogenic amino acids are those that are catabolised to
intermediates that can serve as substrates for gluconeogenesis.
Thus they ultimately lead to the production of glucose. These are
pyruvate and any of the four- or five-carbon intermediates of the
citric acid cycle.
Ketogenic amino acids are catabolised to yield acetyl-CoA or
acetoacetyl-CoA, the precursors for ketone body formation. They
ultimately lead to the production of ketone bodies.

Response [None Given]

Feedback:

Question 2
Needs Marking
Name one amino acid whose oxidation proceeds via the intermediate shown:
(a) pyruvate
(b) oxaloacetate
(c) alpha-ketoglutarate
(d) succinyl-CoA
(e) fumarate.
Answer
Selected Answer:

(a) alanine
(b) aspartate
(c) glutamate
(d) valine
(e) Phenylalanine

Correct Answer:
Possible answers are:
(a) alanine, tryptophan, glycine, serine, cysteine
(b) aspartate, asparagine
(c) glutamate, glutamine, arginine, histidine,
proline
(d) isoleucine, threonine, methionine, valine
(e) phenylalanine, tyrosine.
Response Feedback:

[None Given]

Question 3
Needs Marking
What is the first "committed" step in the biosynthetic sequence that leads to
IMP? How is this step regulated?
Answer
Selected
Answer:

The first committed step is the production of 5phosphoribosylamine from PRPP. This step is regulated by

feedback inhibition.
Correct
Answer:

The pathway being referred to in this question is the de novo

purine biosynthetic pathway.
The first committed step in the pathway to IMP is the formation of
5-phosphoribosylamine from PRPP (see Lehninger, Fig. 22-31, p.
851).
This step is regulated by feedback inhibition; accumulated IMP
allosterically inhibits the first enzyme in the pathway, as shown in
Lehninger, Fig. 22-33, p. 853.

Response
Feedback:

[None Given]

Question 4
2 out of 2 points
Transport of fatty acids from the cytoplasm to the mitochondrial matrix
requires:
Answer
Selected Answer:
(B) ATP, carnitine, and coenzyme A.
Correct Answer:
(B) ATP, carnitine, and coenzyme A.
Response
Feedback:

CORRECT!
Fatty acids are activated and then transported across the
inner mitochondrial membrane by carnitine.
The activation recation:
Fatty acid + Coenzyme A + ATP -->
Acyl-CoA (activated fatty acid) + AMP PPi
Then:
Acyl-CoA + Carnitine --> Acyl-carnitine
the acyl-carnitine is transported into the mitochondrial
matrix for beta oxidation.

Question 5
0 out of 2 points
An amino acid that DOES NOT derive its carbon skeleton, at least in part, from
oxaloacetate is:
Answer
Selected Answer:
(E) methionine.
Correct Answer:
(C) proline.
Response Feedback:

INCORRECT!

Check your textbook and try again.

Question 6
0 out of 2 points
Oxidation of an 18-carbon fatty acid produces six molecules of propionyl-CoA.
Answer
Selected Answer:

True

Correct Answer:

False

Response
Feedback:

INCORRECT!
Propionyl CoA is only produced from the degradation of fatty
acid chains with an uneven number of carbon atoms.
Check your textbook.

Question 7
2 out of 2 points
What is the correct order of the following reactions of beta oxidation?
1. oxidation
2. thiolysis
3. hydration
4. oxidation
Answer
Selected Answer:
(C) 4, 3, 1, 2
Correct Answer:
(C) 4, 3, 1, 2
Response
Feedback:

CORRECT!
The first step in the series of four reactions of fatty acid beta
oxidation is OXIDATION by FAD.
This is followed by HYDRATION.
The third step is an OXIDATION by NAD+.
The last step in the series of four reactions of beta oxidation
is THIOLYSIS (or thiolytic cleavage by CoA).

Question 8
2 out of 2 points
The conversion of glutamate to an alpha-ketoacid and NH4+ is catalysed by
glutamate dehydrogenase.
Answer
Selected Answer:

True

Correct Answer:

True

Response Feedback:

CORRECT!
This is an example of an oxidative deamination.

Question 9

0 out of 2 points
Which of the following statements concerning the beta oxidation of fatty acids
is true?
Answer
Selected
Answer:
Correct
Answer:

(E) None of the above statements is true.

(C) The free fatty acid must be converted to a thioester before

the process of beta oxidation commences.

Response Feedback:

INCORRECT!
Consult your textbook and try again.

Question 10
0 out of 2 points
If the 16-carbon saturated fatty acid palmitate is oxidised completely to carbon
dioxide and water (via the beta-oxidation pathway and the citric acid cycle),
and all of the energy-conserving products are used to drive ATP synthesis in the
mitochondrion, the net yield of ATP per molecule of palmitate is:
Answer
Selected Answer:
(B) 10.
Correct Answer:
(D) 108.
Response Feedback:

INCORRECT!
Check your textbook and try again.

Question 11
2 out of 2 points
Carnitine is:
Answer
Selected Answer:
(C) essential for intracellular transport of fatty acids.
Correct Answer:
(C) essential for intracellular transport of fatty acids.
Response
Feedback:

CORRECT!
Carnitine is a carrier of long chain fatty acids into the
mitochondrial matrix for beta oxidation.
Activated long chain fatty acids are transported across the
inner mitochndrial membrane by conjugating them to
carnitine.

Question 12
2 out of 2 points
Insulin
Answer

Selected
Answer:

Correct
Answer:

Answer
Feedback:

(A) increases the activity of glycogen synthase and increases

the rate of glycogen synthesis.

(A) increases the activity of glycogen synthase and increases

the rate of glycogen synthesis.
Insulin promotes glycogen synthesis (glycogenesis) and
inhibits glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis).

Response
Feedback:

CORRECT! You have reviewed the lecture material well!

Question 13
2 out of 2 points
The coenzyme involved in a transaminase reaction is:
Answer
Selected Answer:
(B) pyridoxal phosphate (PLP).
Correct Answer:
(B) pyridoxal phosphate (PLP).
Response
Feedback:

CORRECT!
All transaminases (aminotransferase enzymes) have the same
prosthetic group and the same reaction mechanism.
The prosthetic group is PYRIDOXAL PHOSPHATE (PLP), the
coenzyme form of pyridoxine or vitamin B6.

Question 14
2 out of 2 points
Which of the following does NOT provide a carbon skeleton for the synthesis of
amino acids?
Answer
Selected
Answer:

(A) Succinate

Correct
Answer:

(A) Succinate

Answer
Feedback:

Succinate is NOT one of the 6 precursors for the synthesis

of amino acids.

Response Feedback:

CORRECT! You have reviewed your material well!

Question 15
2 out of 2 points
Erythrose 4-phosphate is a precursor of alanine.
Answer
Selected Answer:

False

Correct Answer:

False

Response Feedback:

CORRECT!
This compound is a precursor to Phenylalanine.

Question 16
2 out of 2 points
The product of purine degradation in humans is:
Answer
Selected Answer:
(B) uric acid.
Correct Answer:
(B) uric acid.
Response
Feedback:

CORRECT!
Uric acid is the excreted end-product of purine
degradation in primates.

Question 17
0 out of 2 points
In nucleotide metabolism, all of the following are true EXCEPT:
Answer
Selected
Answer:

Correct
Answer:

Answer
Feedback:

(A) The committed step in purine biosynthesis is the transfer of

an amino group to PRPP.

(D) Balanced pools of deoxyribonucleotides are necessary in

DNA synthesis, given the complementary base-pairing of
nucleotides in double stranded DNA.
This is true.

Response
Feedback:

INCORRECT! Review your lecture notes and have

another try.

Question 18
0 out of 2 points
Nonessential amino acids:
Answer
Selected Answer:
(D) are synthesised by plants and bacteria, but not by
humans.
Correct Answer:
(C) can be synthesised in humans as well as in bacteria.
Answer
Feedback:

This statement describes the essential amino acids.

Response Feedback:

INCORRRECT!
Consult your textbook and try again.

Question 19
0 out of 2 points
The branch points of glycogen are broken down to
Answer

Selected
Answer:

(C) glucose-1-phosphate

Correct
Answer:

(A) glucose

Answer
Feedback:

This is the major product of glycogenolysis. It is derived from

the breakdown of the alpha 1-4 glycosidic linkages of glycogen.

Response
Feedback:

INCORRECT! Review your lecture material and have

another try.

Question 20
0 out of 2 points
Fatty acid biosynthesis uses NADPH exclusively, whereas beta oxidation uses
NAD+ exclusively.
Answer
Selected Answer:

False

Correct Answer:

True

Response Feedback:

INCORRECT!
Consult your textbook.

Question 21
0 out of 2 points
Which of the following conversions occurs in one step?
1. alanine to pyruvate
2. glutamate to alpha-ketoglutarate
3. aspartate to oxaloacetate
4. histidine to glutamate
5. methionine to succinyl CoA
Answer
Selected Answer:
(C) 2, 4, and 5
Correct Answer:
(A) 1, 2, and 3
Response Feedback:

INCORRECT!
Consult your textbook and try again.

Question 22
0 out of 2 points
The amino acids serine, alanine, and cysteine can be catabolized to yield:
Answer
Selected
Answer:

(E) none of the above.

Correct
Answer:

(D) pyruvate.

Answer
Feedback:

Remember that alanine can be converted to pyruvate by

transamination.

Response Feedback:

INCORRECT!
Check you textbook and try again.

Question 23
2 out of 2 points
In purine biosynthesis, the first intermediate to have a complete purine ring is:
Answer
Selected Answer:
inosinate (IMP)
Correct Answer:
inosinate (IMP)
Response
Feedback:

CORRECT!
The first intermediate to have a complete purine ring is
inosinate (IMP). Both andenylate (AMP) and guanylate (GMP)
are formed from AMP.

Question 24
2 out of 2 points
Which of the following nucleotide bases is not found in RNA?
Answer
Selected
Answer:

(A) Thymine

Correct Answer:
(A) Thymine

Answer
Feedback:

This nucleotide is found in DNA only and does not occur in

RNA.

Response
Feedback:

CORRECT! Thymine is found only in DNA. You have reviewed

the lecture material well!

Question 25
2 out of 2 points
Glycogen is broken down primarily to glucose-1-phosphate instead of glucose
because
Answer
Selected Answer:
(B) it allows a more controlled release of glucose
Correct Answer:
(B) it allows a more controlled release of glucose
Response
Feedback:

CORRECT! You have reviwed the lecture material well and

have selected the correct answer.

Question 26
2 out of 2 points
The reaction sequence that leads to fatty acid synthesis includes a recurring
sequence of the following 4 reactions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

first reduction
condenstion
dehydration
second reduction

What is the order of these reactions?

Answer
Selected Answer:
(B) 2, 1, 3, 4
Correct Answer:
(B) 2, 1, 3, 4
Response
Feedback:

CORRECT!
Step
Step
Step
Step

1
2
3
4

is
is
is
is

the condensation
the first reduction
dehydration and
the second reduction.

The fatty acid chain is extended by 2 carbons in each cycle of

elongation consisting of the above 4 reactions.

Question 27
Needs Marking
(a) Describe the steps in the metabolic pathway in which cells oxidise a fourcarbon, straight-chain, saturated fatty acid (butyrate; 4:0) to the fragments
that enter the citric acid cycle.
(b) In what way would you change or add to your answer if the starting fatty
acid had been five carbons long (also straight-chain and saturated)?
Answer
Selected
Answer:
Correct
Answer:

[None Given]

(a) Butyrate is first activated:

Butyrate + ATP + CoA --> butyryl-CoA + AMP + PPi
Then, the butyryl group is transferred to carnitine and
transported into the mitochondrial matrix, where it is reconverted
to the butyryl-CoA derivative.
This passes through the four steps of beta-oxidation (see
Lehninger, Fig. 17-8a, p. 605) to ultimately produce 2 molecules
of acetyl CoA.
(b) A five-carbon chain would undergo activation and one cycle of
beta oxidation, producing acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA.
The propionyl-CoA would be converted to succinyl-CoA by the
reaction sequence in Lehninger Fig. 17-11, p. 609.

Response

[None Given]

Feedback:

Question 28
2 out of 2 points
Conversion of ornithine to citrulline is a step in the synthesis of:
Answer
Selected Answer:
(D) urea
Correct Answer:
(D) urea
Response
Feedback:

CORRECT!
The reaction referred to is:
Ornithine + carbamoyl phosphate --> citrulline
The above reaction occurs in the urea cycle which leads to
the synthesis of urea which is then excreted.

Question 29
0 out of 2 points
The transferase used in glycogen breakdown
Answer
Selected
Answer:

(D) breaks alpha-1,6 linkages

Correct
Answer:

(A) shifts 3 of the last 4 glucose residues from a branch onto

another branch

Response
Feedback:

INCORRECT! Review your lecture material and try

again.

Question 30
0 out of 2 points
Which of the following statements concerning fatty acids is correct?
Answer
Selected Answer:
(D) They are a constituent of sterols.
Correct Answer:
(C) Some are precursors of triacylglycerols.
Response Feedback:

INCORRECT! Check your textbook and try again.

Question 31
2 out of 2 points
Glucagon
Answer
Selected
Answer:

(B) inhibits the formation of glycogen (glycogeneis) and

stimulates the breakdown of glycogen (glycogenolysis)

Correct
Answer:

(B) inhibits the formation of glycogen (glycogeneis) and

stimulates the breakdown of glycogen (glycogenolysis)

Response Feedback:

CORRECT! You have reviewed your material well!

Question 32
2 out of 2 points
Enzymes that catalyse the synthesis of long chain fatty acids in vertebrate cells
are localised in the mitochondrial matrix.
Answer
Selected Answer:

False

Correct Answer:

False

Response
Feedback:

CORRECT!
The enzymes of fatty acid synthesis occur in the cell cytosol.
The mitochondrial matrix is the site of fatty acid degradation.