Biochemistry : Catabolic Pathways and Metabolism

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #47 : Glycolysis

At the end of anaerobic glycolysis, what products are created?

Possible Answers:

Acetyl-CoA

1 Lactate and 1 pyruvate

2 Lactate and 2 ATP

1 Pyruvate 

2 Pyruvate, 2 NADH, and 2 ATP

Correct answer:

2 Pyruvate, 2 NADH, and 2 ATP

Explanation:

This is a slightly misleading question. Glycolysis is an anaerobic process. Its products are always 2 pyruvate, 2 NADH, and 2 ATP. The fate of the pyruvate depends on the absence and/or presence of oxygen, in which it will be reduced into lactate or cleaved into acetyl-CoA to enter the Krebs cycle, respectively.

Example Question #131 : Catabolic Pathways And Metabolism

Glycolysis produces pyruvate. The fate of this pyruvate depends mainly on the availability of which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Phosphoric acid

Calcium ions

Molecular oxygen

Coenzyme A

Correct answer:

Molecular oxygen

Explanation:

If molecular oxygen is present, the products of glycolysis will continue and be fed into aerobic metabolism: the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. If molecular oxygen is absent, glycolysis will lead to anaerobic metabolism/fermentation. Thus, the fate of pyruvate depends on the availability of oxygen.  does need to be recycled for glycolysis to proceed, but this can happen via the electron transport, which can only proceed if oxygen is present. Thus, while this is fundamentally correct, it is a downstream regulator. Coenzyme A is not a limiting factor in the fate of pyruvate, but it does get added after a molecule of carbon dioxide is released, producing acetyl-CoA during pyruvate dehydrogenation. Phosphoric acid and calcium ions are not relevant to this question.

Example Question #851 : Biochemistry

Which of these is not an end product of glucose metabolism by either aerobic or anaerobic means?

Possible Answers:

Fructose

Lactate

Carbon dioxide

Ethanol

Correct answer:

Fructose

Explanation:

Glucose can be catabolized by both aerobic and anaerobic means. When glucose undergoes oxidative phosphorylation (aerobic metabolism), the end products are carbon dioxide, water, and ATP. In the absence of oxygen, glucose can undergo either lactic acid or alcoholic fermentation. Lactate is a result of lactic acid fermentation, and ethanol and carbon dioxide are results of alcoholic fermentation. 

Example Question #3 : Other Glycolysis Concepts

Which of the following list the correct order of processes in the creation of ATP from glucose?

Possible Answers:

Glycolysis, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, citric acid cycle, electron transport chain

Citric acid cycle, glycolysis, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, electron transport chain

Electron transport chain, citric acid cycle, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, glycolysis

Glycolysis, electron transport chain, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, citric acid cycle

Glycolysis, citric acid cycle, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, electron transport chain

Correct answer:

Glycolysis, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, citric acid cycle, electron transport chain

Explanation:

Glucose goes through glycolysis to form pyruvate molecules which then proceed into the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.  Acetyl-CoA is created from this, which can then move into the citric acid cycle.  High energy electron carries,  and , that were created in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle finally go through the electron transport chain to pump hydrogens through the mitochondrial membrane.  These hydrogens are used to generate ATP via the ATP synthase.

Example Question #852 : Biochemistry

If a cell is lacking in oxaloacetate, which of the following will occur?

Possible Answers:

The cell will die

The cell will overproduce ATP

Glycolysis will halt completely

There will be a buildup of pyruvate in the cell

Citrate will take over the role of oxaloacetate in the Kreb's Cycle

Correct answer:

There will be a buildup of pyruvate in the cell

Explanation:

If a cell is lacking in oxaloacetate, the Krebs cycle will be unable to continue.  Therefore, there will be no way for the electron transport chain to receive the high energy electrons it requires to create ATP.  And so, fermentation will take over in the cell for creation of ATP.  Glycolysis will not stop, but the end product pyruvate will build up because it will only be able to be used for fermentation, not in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

Example Question #3 : Other Glycolysis Concepts

Which of the following is true of glycolysis?

Possible Answers:

While 2 net ATP are created in glycolysis, there also is a requirement of 2 ATP initially for glycolysis to take place

All steps are reversible

Glycolysis speeds up when ATP is plentiful

Glucose is created

 is formed from NADH

Correct answer:

While 2 net ATP are created in glycolysis, there also is a requirement of 2 ATP initially for glycolysis to take place

Explanation:

In glycolysis, glucose is broken down. 2 ATP are required for glycolysis to begin, resulting in a creation of 4 ATP. This is a net of 2 ATP. NADH is created from , not the other way around. While 7 of the 10 steps of glycolysis are reversible, the other 3 are irreversible. Finally, if ATP is plentiful, there is no need for glycolysis to speed up (it will actually likely slow down).

Example Question #131 : Catabolic Pathways And Metabolism

Which of the following processes occurs in the cytoplasm of a cell?

Possible Answers:

Electron transport chain

Oxidative phosphorylation

Glycolysis

Krebs cycle

All of these occur in the cytoplasm

Correct answer:

Glycolysis

Explanation:

Glycolysis is the only of the above choices that occurs in the cytoplasm. The remaining occur in different parts of the mitochondria. The Krebs cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix. Both oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain occur along the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Example Question #132 : Catabolic Pathways And Metabolism

When during cellular respiration is  created?

Possible Answers:

Glycolysis

The electron transport chain

The non-oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway

The oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway

The Krebs cycle

Correct answer:

The oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway

Explanation:

 in unrelated to the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain.  is produced during the pentose phosphate pathway, which is a branch off of glycolysis. The first phase of the pentose phosphate pathway is called the oxidative phase, and is where  is created. During the second phase, five-carbon sugars are created, the most important being ribose-5-phosphate.

Example Question #133 : Catabolic Pathways And Metabolism

Which statement is false regarding glycolysis?

Possible Answers:

Hexokinase catalyzes the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate.

Glucose is oxidized.

2 NADH are produced

2 Pyruvate are produced.

Every step is irreversible.

Correct answer:

Every step is irreversible.

Explanation:

In glycolysis, glucose is oxidized, and the final products are 2 pyruvate, 2 ATP, and 2 NADH. The first step is irreversible, and is the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate by the enzyme hexokinase. The only remaining answer choice is "every step is irreversible." That statement is false. Steps 1,3, and 10 are irreversible, but the remaining steps are reversible.

Example Question #134 : Catabolic Pathways And Metabolism

How does fructose get metabolized by the body?

I. Fructose-1-phosphate is converted to glyceraldehyde. 

II. Fructose is converted to fructose-1-phosphate by fructokinase in the liver.

III. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate from fructose is used in both glycolysis and gluconeogenesis.

Possible Answers:

II only

III only

I, II, and III

I and III

II and III

Correct answer:

I, II, and III

Explanation:

Fructose is mainly metabolized by the liver from sugar, honey and fruits. Fructose can be converted to fructose-1-phosphate and then to dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and glyceraldehyde.

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