Biochemistry : Carbohydrate Synthesis

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Carbohydrate Anabolism

One of the key enzymes in the pentose phosphate pathway is glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). This enzyme is responsible for oxidizing glucose-6-phosphate into the next intermediate in the pathway, with co-occuring production of NADPH. Which of the following is most likely to be true about the regulation of this enzyme?

Possible Answers:

G6PDH is activated by 

G6PDH is activated by 

G6PDH is inhibited by 

G6PDH is inhibited by 

None of these

Correct answer:

G6PDH is activated by 

Explanation:

From the question stem, we are told that glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase oxidized glucose into another compound, and also produces a molecule of NADPH in the process. In order to determine the way in which this enzyme is likely to be regulated, it's important to consider feedback mechanics.

Since this enzyme is producing NADPH when it is turned on, we would expect this product to negatively regulate the enzyme via feedback inhibition. Moreover, since we know that  is a reactant, we can correctly assume that having a high concentration of this will likely drive the reaction forward by turning the enzyme on. Thus,  would be expected to allosterically activate this enzyme. Furthermore, the question stem tells us nothing about the unphosphorylated forms of these cofactors, therefore we have no way of knowing how many NADH or  affects this enzyme, if they do at all.

Example Question #4 : Carbohydrate Anabolism

One important chemical transformation that occurs in the pentose phosphate pathway is the conversion of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) to ribulose-5-phosphate (R5P), which is shown below.

 

The conversion shown above is an example of which of the following type of reaction?

Possible Answers:

Carboxylation of glucose-6-phosphate

Reduction of glucose-6-phosphate

Isomerization of glucose-6-phosphate

Phosphorylation of glucose-6-phosphate

Oxidation of glucose-6-phosphate

Correct answer:

Oxidation of glucose-6-phosphate

Explanation:

From the question stem, we are shown the reaction in which glucose-6-phosphate is transformed into ribulose-5-phosphate. We are then asked to determine which type of reaction is occurring in this process.

We can also notice from the reaction that  is a reactant, and  is a product. Therefore, the  is being reduced to form . In order for this reduction reaction to happen, there needs to be a simultaneous oxidation reaction occurring, since the electrons need to come from somewhere. In this case, the electrons are coming from glucose-6-phosphate. Therefore, as  is reduced to , glucose-6-phosphate is oxidized to ribulose-5-phosphate. Thus, this is an oxidation reaction.

Also, it's important to note that this is not a carboxylation reaction. In fact, it is actually a decarboxylation reaction, since one of the carbon atoms on glucose is converted into carbon dioxide.

Moreover, this is also not a phosphorylation reaction, as the reactant and products have an equal number of phosphate groups.

And lastly, this is not an isomerization reaction because glucose-6-phosphate and ribulose-5-phosphate have different molecular formulas, thus they cannot ever be structural isomers.

 

Example Question #2 : Carbohydrate Anabolism

In gluconeogenesis, where is oxaloacetate sequestered, and how is it able to reach the cytoplasm?

Possible Answers:

In the mitochondrial matrix; a carrier protein binds to oxaloacetate and traverses the mitochondrial membrane into the cytoplasm.

In the intermembrane space of the mitochondria; a carrier protein binds to oxaloacetate and traverses the mitochondrial membrane into the cytoplasm.

In the mitochondrial matrix; malate dehydrogenase reduces oxaloacetate to malate, which goes into the cytoplasm, and is converted back into oxaloacetate by malate dehydrogenase.

In the intermembrane space of the mitochondria; malate dehydrogenase reduces oxaloacetate to malate, which goes into the cytoplasm, and is converted back into oxaloacetate by malate dehydrogenase.

Correct answer:

In the mitochondrial matrix; malate dehydrogenase reduces oxaloacetate to malate, which goes into the cytoplasm, and is converted back into oxaloacetate by malate dehydrogenase.

Explanation:

Oxaloacetate is a metabolite of the citric acid cycle, which takes place in the mitochondrial matrix. Oxaloacetate cannot diffuse across the mitochondrial matrix, but malate can. So oxaloacetate is reduced to malate by malate dehydrogenase, and can now enter into the cytoplasm. Since malate dehydrogenase can catalyze the reverse reaction as well as the forward reaction, it can be used again to reform oxaloacetate. Once in the cytoplasm, oxaloacetate is converted into phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and continues gluconeogenesis.

Example Question #11 : Carbohydrate Synthesis

Glycogen is a polysaccharide of which of the following molecules?

Possible Answers:

Glucose

Lactose

Cellulose

Fructose

Ribose

Correct answer:

Glucose

Explanation:

Glucose is converted into glycogen during the process called glycogenesis. Its structure consists of many linear alpha(14) glycosidic bonds, and also many branched alpha(16) glycosidic bonds. This heavily-branched structure means that there are many free ends, which are the substrates for glycogen phosphorylase. A debranching enzyme is needed to lyse the alpha(16) glycosidic bonds. Cellulose is a polymer glucose linked together via of beta(14) glycosidic bonds. Humans lack enzymes to catalyze the lysis of these bonds in cellulose.

Example Question #7 : Carbohydrate Anabolism

Which of the following is false about the carbon fixation reaction?

Possible Answers:

   combines with ribulose 1,5-biphosphate during the reaction

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate is one of the products of the carbon fixation cycle (also known as the Calvin cycle)

Ribulose biphosphate carboxylase is among the most commonly found proteins in the biosphere

For each  molecule converted into carbohydrate, 2 ATP and 3 NADH are consumed

The enzyme which catalyzes the reaction is ribulose biphosphate carboxylase

Correct answer:

For each  molecule converted into carbohydrate, 2 ATP and 3 NADH are consumed

Explanation:

For each    molecule converted into carbohydrate, 3 ATPs and 2 NADPHs are consumed. The Calvin cycle is initiated when  and ribulose 1,5 biphosphate combine. The enzyme ribulose biphospate carboxylase catalyzes the reaction in the stroma of chloroplasts, and is considered one of the most the world's most abundant proteins. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, which is a by-product of the cycle, goes on to be a building block of sugar, fatty acid, and amino acid synthesis.

Example Question #131 : Anabolic Pathways And Synthesis

What is the major distinction between NADH and NADPH in biochemistry?

Possible Answers:

NADH and NADPH serve the same function in all reactions

NADPH is oxidized in catabolic reactions to produce ATP, wheres NADH serves as a reducing agent in anabolic reactions

NADH is used in reactions to create ATP, whereas NADPH is used in reactions to produce ADP

NADH is oxidized in catabolic reactions to produce ATP, wheres NADPH serves as a reducing agent in anabolic reactions

NADH is used primarily by eukaryotes, whereas NADPH is used primarily by prokaryotes

Correct answer:

NADH is oxidized in catabolic reactions to produce ATP, wheres NADPH serves as a reducing agent in anabolic reactions

Explanation:

The major distinction between NADH and NADPH is that NADH is generally used in catabolic reactions meant to produce ATP.  NADPH, on the other hand, is used primarily in anabolic reactions meant to build macromolecules from their smaller parts.

Example Question #132 : Anabolic Pathways And Synthesis

What is the role of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in carbohydrate metabolism?

Possible Answers:

Guanosine triphosphate (GTP) is converted to guanosine diphosphate (GDP) by the enzyme

The enzyme converts oxaloacetate to phosphophenolpyruvate

All of these

Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of the reaction that it catalyzes

The reaction catalyzed by this enzyme is one of the first steps in gluconeogenesis

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Gluconeogenesis is the production of glucose from other sources than carbohydrates, such as  from pyruvate, amino acids, lactate and glycerol. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase converts oxaloacetate to phosphoenolpyruvate and carbon dioxide. It also produces GDP from GTP. It is regulated by hormones, such as glucagon and cortisol.

Example Question #1261 : Biochemistry

What two molecules are the links between the urea cycle and gluconeogenesis?

Possible Answers:

Fumarate and aspartate

Citrate and aspartate

Oxaloacetate and citrate

Oxaloacetate and fumarate

Fumarate and citrate

Correct answer:

Fumarate and aspartate

Explanation:

Aspartate can form arginosuccinate, which can then release a fumarate molecule. The fumarate can enter into the Krebs cycle and eventually the pathway can lead to gluconeogenesis. The arginine from the arginosuccinate can continue through the urea cycle.

Example Question #1262 : Biochemistry

In order to be added to a growing glycogen chain, glucose must first be activated by which of the following molecules?

Possible Answers:

GDP

ADP

ATP

UTP

UDP

Correct answer:

UDP

Explanation:

UDP-glucose is the activated form of glucose that works to build chains of glycogen. The other listed molecules do not serve this function.

Example Question #1262 : Biochemistry

How does ingestion of high amounts of ethanol affect gluconeogenesis?

I. High amounts of ethanol get oxidized producing NADPH.

II. High levels of NADPH inhibit gluconeogenesis. 

III. High levels of NADPH stimulate gluconeogenesis.

IV. High amounts of ethanol get oxidized producing NADP.

Possible Answers:

I and IV

II and IV

I and II 

I and III

III only

Correct answer:

I and II 

Explanation:

Ingestion of high amounts of ethanol leads to increased NADPH. High levels of NADPH inhibit gluconeogenesis followed by low glucose levels in the absence of dietary intake. In acute ingestion of alcohol, hypoglycemia (low levels of glucose in the blood) can follow due to inhibition of gluconeogenesis.

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