Biochemistry : Biochemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Other Electron Transport Chain Concepts

ATP synthase can be inhibited exclusively by __________.

Possible Answers:

Rotenone

Cyanide 

Oligomycin

Antimycin

Correct answer:

Oligomycin

Explanation:

Oligomycin is an antibiotic that inhibits ATP synthase. It works by binding to the stalk of ATP synthase. This prevents proton re-entry into the mitochondrial matrix. This results in a halt of the proton motive force that ATP synthase uses to created ATP from one unit of ADP and one unit of inorganic phosphate. Rotenone is a pesticide and fish poison that inhibits NADH dehydrogenase in complex I causing the levels of NADH to increase. This results in a halt of the electron transport chain. Antimycin is a fungal antibiotic that inhibits complex III of the electron transport chain. Antimycin prevents the transfer of electrons through the cytochrome b-c complex. Cyanide is a gas that inhibits complex IV of the electron transport chain. Cyanide combines with cytochrome oxidase and prevents the transfer of electrons to oxygen.

Example Question #1 : Other Electron Transport Chain Concepts

Complex III can be inhibited exclusively by __________.

Possible Answers:

Oligomycin

Rotenone

Cyanide

Antimycin

Correct answer:

Antimycin

Explanation:

Antimycin is a fungal antibiotic that inhibits complex III of the electron transport chain. Antimycin prevents the transfer of electrons through the cytochrome b-c complex. Oligomycin is an antibiotic that inhibits ATP synthase. It works by binding to the stalk of ATP synthase. This prevents proton re-entry into the inner mitochondrial matrix. This results in a halt of the proton motive force that ATP synthase uses to created ATP from one unit of ADP and one unit of inorganic phosphate. Rotenone is a pesticide and fish poison that inhibits NADH dehydrogenase in complex I causing the levels of NADH to increase. This results in a halt of the electron transport chain. Cyanide is a gas that inhibits complex IV of the electron transport chain. Cyanide combines with cytochrome oxidase and prevents the transfer of electrons to oxygen.

Example Question #1 : Other Electron Transport Chain Concepts

Complex I can be inhibited exclusively by __________.

Possible Answers:

Cyanide

Antimycin

Oligomycin

Rotenone

Correct answer:

Rotenone

Explanation:

Rotenone is a pesticide and fish poison that inhibits NADH dehydrogenase in complex I causing the levels of NADH to increase. This results in a halt of the electron transport chain. Oligomycin is an antibiotic that inhibits ATP synthase. It works by binding to the stalk of ATP synthase. This prevents proton re-entry into the mitochondrial matrix. This results in a halt of the proton motive force that ATP synthase uses to created ATP from one unit of ADP and one unit of inorganic phosphate. Antimycin is a fungal antibiotic that inhibits complex III of the electron transport chain. Antimycin prevents the transfer of electrons through the cytochrome b-c complex. Cyanide is a gas that inhibits complex IV of the electron transport chain. Cyanide combines with cytochrome oxidase and prevents the transfer of electrons to oxygen.

Example Question #3 : Other Electron Transport Chain Concepts

Complex IV can be inhibited exclusively by __________.

Possible Answers:

Rotenone

Cyanide

Oligomycin

Antimycin

Correct answer:

Cyanide

Explanation:

Cyanide is a gas that inhibits complex IV of the electron transport chain. Cyanide combines with cytochrome oxidase and prevents the transfer of electrons to oxygen. Antimycin is a fungal antibiotic that inhibits complex III of the electron transport chain. Antimycin prevents the transfer of electrons through the cytochrome b-c complex. Oligomycin is an antibiotic that inhibits ATP synthase. It works by binding to the stalk of ATP synthase. This prevents proton re-entry into the mitochondrial matrix. This results in a halt of the proton motive force that ATP synthase uses to created ATP from one unit of ADP and one unit of inorganic phosphate. Rotenone is a pesticide and fish poison that inhibits NADH dehydrogenase in complex I causing the levels of NADH to increase. This results in a halt of the electron transport chain.

Example Question #1 : Other Electron Transport Chain Concepts

Which of the following is a function of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) during the electron transport chain (ETC)?

Possible Answers:

Donates electrons to FADH

Oxidizes enzyme complex III

Oxidizes enzyme complex II

The ultimate acceptor of electrons 

Reduces enzyme complex I

Correct answer:

Oxidizes enzyme complex II

Explanation:

CoQ10 is produced in the liver and oxidizes enzyme complex II. It is subsequently oxidized by enzyme complex III in the ETC. Oxygen is the final acceptor of electrons in the ETC.

Example Question #3 : Other Electron Transport Chain Concepts

Oxygen is known as the "terminal electron receptor" in the electron transport chain. Suppose an organism lacks the ability to breathe in oxygen.

What is the most likely effect an oxygen deficit would have on the electron transport chain in mitochondria?

Possible Answers:

The oxygen would not be able to interact with ATP synthase and thus ATP production would halt, however, the electron transport chain would continue to function normally otherwise.

Without a terminal electron acceptor, the electrons of  and  would have nowhere to be released, and all of the enzyme complexes involved with the electron transport chain would be "saturated" with electrons and the entire electron transport chain would cease to function, halting production of ATP.

The mitochondria would synthesize new complexes for the electron transport chain and ATP production would continue.

A mitochondria would use an alternative terminal electron receptor such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, the electron transport chain would continue to function.

Nothing would happen, the electron transport chain would function normally.

Correct answer:

Without a terminal electron acceptor, the electrons of  and  would have nowhere to be released, and all of the enzyme complexes involved with the electron transport chain would be "saturated" with electrons and the entire electron transport chain would cease to function, halting production of ATP.

Explanation:

Without a terminal electron acceptor, the electrons of  and  would have nowhere to be released, all of the complexes would be "backed up" as each complex would not be able to pass off its electrons to the next complex. ATP production would come to a standstill.

Without oxygen to receive the electrons, the entire flow of the electron transportation chain halts, as well as ATP production. It is the continuous flow of electrons through the ETC complexes that allows a mitochondria to harness the energy of the electrons that  and  donate. This energy is used to pump protons across the intermembrane space of a mitochondria. The re-entry of these protons through ATP synthase is what drives the production of ATP.

In short, no electron flow means no proton pumps and no re-entry of those protons through ATP synthase. A cell could potentially resort to glycolysis to produce ATP, and can regenerate  or  using anaerobic fermentation such as alcohol fermentation of lactic acid fermentation.

Example Question #1 : Other Electron Transport Chain Concepts

To which component of the electron transport chain does cyanide bind?

Possible Answers:

Cyanide binds the electron transport chain at the level of coenzyme Q

Cyanide binds the electron transport chain at the level of complex IV

Cyanide binds ATP synthase

Cyanide binds the electron transport chain at the level of complex I

Cyanide binds the electron transport chain at the level of complex III

Correct answer:

Cyanide binds the electron transport chain at the level of complex IV

Explanation:

The electron transport chain passes electrons thru its main components: complex I (NADH dehydrogenase), coenzyme Q, complex III, cytochrome C, and complex IV. Complex IV is the cytochrome oxidase complex and it is inhibited by cyanide, carbon monoxide and azide. Cyanide binds irreversibly to complex IV preventing electron transfer.

Example Question #41 : Electron Transport And Oxidative Phosphorylation

Reactive oxygen species are by-products of the electron transport chain. Which of the following are considered reactive oxygen species?

Possible Answers:

All of these

None of these

Hydroxyl radical 

Hydrogen peroxide 

Superoxide 

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Reactive oxygen species are superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydrogen radicals. They are degraded by catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Neutrophils use reactive oxygen species to kill bacteria during the phagocytic oxidative burst. 

Example Question #42 : Electron Transport And Oxidative Phosphorylation

Which of the following are uncouplers of the electron transport chain?

I. Carbon monoxide

II. 2,4-Dinitrophenol

III. Nitric oxide 

IV. Aspirin

Possible Answers:

I, III, and IV

I and II

I and III

I and IV

II and IV

Correct answer:

II and IV

Explanation:

Uncouplers of the electron transport chain decrease the proton gradient and thus decrease ATP synthesis. Most energy from the electron transport chain is released as heat. The most common uncouplers are 2,4-dinitrophenol and aspirin, as well as thermogenin. Carbon monoxide is an inhibitor of the electron transport chain, not an uncoupler. Nitric oxide does not affect directly the electron transport chain.

Example Question #43 : Electron Transport And Oxidative Phosphorylation

What is an electron acceptor in oxidative phosporylation?

Possible Answers:

Oxygen

Carbon dioxide

Carbon monoxide

ATP

NADH

Correct answer:

Oxygen

Explanation:

Oxygen is an electron acceptor. In the absence of oxygen (hypoxia) cells cannot generate ATP in the mitochondria. Instead, they will utilize glycolysis. Oxygen is required to carry out the electron transport chain and produce ATP via oxidative phosphorylation.

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