Biochemistry

Topic-wise Questions
1. 
The graph given below denotes the transport 3. Michaelis Menten curve below characterizes an
kinetics across the cell membrane. The solute is allosteric enzyme system. True statement is
 [AIIMS May 2016]  [AIIMS May 2016]

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,3
20
a. Modifier at the allosteric site can affect the
catalytic site too
on

b. Substrate to the enzyme is concentration

independent
a. Oxygen b. Sodium c. Allosteric modifier is non-competitive
ot

c. Glucose d. Chloride d. Allosteric modifier doesn’t affect the velocity of

the reaction
Ph

2. 
Graph shown below is the titration curve of a 4. Which one of the following statements is TRUE
Ans. biochemical compound. Which of the following regarding this image which depicts the effect of an
1. c statement is true?  [AIIMS May 2016] inhibitor on the velocity of enzyme action?
2. b  [Recent Question 2016]
3. a
4. d

a. Curve A depicts irreversible inhibition while

a. The maximum buffering capacity of the
compound is represented by points A and B
b. The points A and B represent the range of
ionisation of the amine and carboxyl group
c. The compound has three ionisable side chains
d. The compound has one ionisable group
curve B depicts allosteric inhibition
b. Curve A depicts noncompetitive inhibition while
curve B depicts competitive inhibition
c. Curve A depicts alllosteric inhibition while curve
B depicts irreversible inhibition
d. Curve A depicts competitive inhibition while
curve B depicts noncompetitive inhibition

Explanations of the questions are given at the end of the subject

 General Biochemistry 101

BIOCHEMISTRY
5. Contribution of Scientists (Photograph) in Field of 8. Source of the Substance (Photograph) in Urine is 
Biochemistry  [Recent Question 2012]

a. Arginase
b. Glutaminase
a. Synthesis of Gene c. Glutamate dehydrogenase
b. Extraction of Enzyme d. Urease
c. DNA as a genetic material

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d. Structure of DNA
9. Identify the Type of transport mechanism ‘B’ as
6. Type of Collagen found in Membrane (Arrow) in
Photograph  [Recent Question 2014]
,3 shown in Photograph
20
on
ot
Ph

a. Uniport b. Symport
a. Type I b. Type II
c. Type III d. Type IV
c. Antiport d. Exocytosis Ans.
5. d
6. d
7. Most common type of Protein (Photograph) found 10. Folds in Molecule shown in the Photograph is due 7. a
8. b
in Human body  [Recent Question 2012] to  [Recent Question 2012]
9. b
10. a

a. Type I b. Type II a. Glycine b. Alanine

c. Type III d. Type IV c. Arginine d. Histidine

Explanations of the questions are given at the end of the subject

 102 General Biochemistry
PHOTON 20

11. Glucose in transported in Organ (Box) shown in 14.  Type of reaction shown in the Photograph is
Photograph via  [Recent Question 2013]

a. Oxidative reaction
b. Reduction reaction
c. Hydrolysis
a. GLUT 1 b. GLUT 2 d. Sulfur conjugation
c. GLUT 3 d. GLUT 4

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12. 
Reaction NOT seen in Organelle shown in 15. Identify the Transport mechanism shown in the
Photograph  [Recent Question 2012] Photograph
,3 [Recent Question 2016]
20
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ot
Ph

a. ETC b. TCA cycle a. Pinocytosis b. Phagocytosis

Ans. c. Ketogenesis d. Glycolysis c. Endocytosis d. Exocytosis
11. b
12. d
13. b
13. Contribution of Scientist (Photograph) in Field of 16. Example of ‘C’ transport mechanism shown in
14. b
Biochemistry Photograph
15. d
16. a

a. DNA as genetic material a. Na+ – K+ pump

b. Gene synthesis b. Sodium dependent Glucose transport
c. Recombinant DNA technology c. Calcium pump
d. Human genome project d. Amino acid transport

Explanations of the questions are given at the end of the subject

 Carbohydrates & Carbohydrate Metabolism 103

BIOCHEMISTRY
Figure B1 (17-24)

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20
on

17. Enzyme of Pathway (Figure B1) common to Gluco- 21. Dead-end metabolite in Pathway shown (Figure
neogenesis  [Recent Question 2014] B1) is  [Recent Question 2014]
ot

a. Pyruvate kinase a. Pyruvate

b. PFK b. Lactate
Ph

c. Hexokinase c. 2,3 Bisphosphoglycerate

d. Phosphoglycerate kinase d. 3-Phosphoglycerate Ans.
18. NOT true about Pathway shown (Figure B1) 22. Substrate level phosphorylation in Pathway (Fig- 17. d
 [Recent Question 2014] ure B1) is seen in  [Recent Question 2012] 18. c
a. Provide nutrition to cancer cells a. Pyruvate kinase 19. c
b. Substrate level phosphorylation at P. kinase b. Enolase 20. b
c. 2-carbon end-product is formed c. Phosphoglyceromutase 21. b
d. NADPH formed by G-3-P dehydrogenase d. Hexokinase 22. a
19. 
Inorganic Phosphate is used by …. in Pathway 23. NADH is produced at …….. step in Pathway (Figure 23. c
24. d
(Figure B1)  [Recent Question 2013] B1)  [Recent Question 2012]
a. Enolase a. Pyruvate kinase
b. Pyruvate kinase b. Enolase
c. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase c. Glyceraldehyde-3-P-Dehydrogenase
d. Aldolase d. PFK-1
20.  T
 rue about Pathway shown (Figure B1) is  24. 
Most important Rate limiting step of pathway
[Recent Question 2013] (Figure B1)  [Recent Question 2014]
a. Hexokinase produce ATP a. Pyruvate kinase
b. 1 cycle produce 2 ATPs b. Enolase
c. Directly produced 2 molecules of Lactate c. Glucokinase
d. Aldolase produce irreversible polymerisation d. Phosphofructokinase

Explanations of the questions are given at the end of the subject

 104 Carbohydrates & Carbohydrate Metabolism

Figure B2 (25-30)
PHOTON 20

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25. NOT a Key enzyme of Pathway shown (Figure B2)  28. Activation of pathway shown (Figure B2) is done by
Ph

 [Recent Question 2013] all EXCEPT

a. Pyruvate carboxylase a. Glucagon
Ans. b. PEP carboxykinase b. Insulin
25. c c. Pyruvate kinase c. Adrenalin
26. c d. Glucose-6-phosphatase d. Cortisol
27. d 26. Pathway shown (Figure B2) is seen in  29. Major site of Pathway shown in Figure B2 in human
28. b  [Recent Question 2012] body is
29. a a. Only Cytoplasm a. Liver
30. a b. Only Mitochondrion b. Kidney
c. Partial Mitochondrion, partly Cytoplasm c. Spleen
d. None of the above d. Lungs
27. NOT a substrate for Pathway shown (Figure B2) 30. 
Enzyme in Pathway (Figure B2) that requires
a. Lactate Biotin & ATP
b. Alanine a. Pyruvate carboxylase
c. Glycerol b. PEP carboxykinase
d. Even chain fatty acids c. Fructose, 1-6 Bisphosphatase
d. Glucose 6-phosphatase

Explanations of the questions are given at the end of the subject

 Carbohydrates & Carbohydrate Metabolism 105

BIOCHEMISTRY
31. Epimers of Sugar shown in Photograph include  32. Intermediate of Glycolysis shown in Photograph
 [Recent Question 2012] occur in  [Recent Question 2013]

a. Glyceraldehyde b. Fructose a. Liver b. RBCs

c. Mannose d. Cellulose c. Kidney d. Brain

Figure B3 (33-38)

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Ans.
31. c
32. b
33. b
33. Pathway shown in the Photograph produces  36. True statement regarding pathway shown in Figure 34. a
 [Recent Question 2014] B3 35. d
a. ATP b. NADPH a. ATP utilised b. ATP produced 36. d
c. ADP d. Acetyl CoA c. ATP both utilized and produced 37. c
34. 
Rate limiting step of Pathway (Figure B3) is d. ATP neither utilized nor produced 38. d
catalyzed by 37. Significance of pathway shown in Figure B3 include
a. Glucose-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase all EXCEPT
b. Gluconolactone hydrolase a. Free radical scavenging
c. 6-phospho-gluconate dehydrogenase b. RBC membrane integrity
d. Transketolase c. Energy production
35. Pathway shown in Figure B3 is seen in the following d. Generation of reducing equivalents
organ(s) 38. True regarding pathway shown in Figure B3
a. Liver a. Glucose shunted through this pathway
b. Adipose tissue b. Monophosphates only as intermediates
c. Adrenal cortex c. Direct oxidative pathway of glucose metabolism
d. All of the above d. All of the above

Explanations of the questions are given at the end of the subject

Answers & Explanations
1. Ans. (c)  Glucose
GLUCOSE : FACILITATED TRANSPORT (UNIPORTER)
•• Rate of glucose entry is almost zero without the transporter
molecule helping in facilitated diffusion
•• Glucose concentration determines the rate of transport: Km
can be calculated from the half maximal rate
•• Km (glucose): 1.5 mM
ƒƒ Value of Km gives information regarding the affinity of
the transporter to glucose
ƒƒ Affinity is inversely proportional to Km.
ƒƒ There is a favourable free energy for glucose transport
•• Blood glucose concentration is roughly 65-90 mg/dL
2. Ans. (b) The points A and B represent the range of
ionisation of the amine and carboxyl group
[Ref. Biochemistry by Voet, 4/e p73]
•• On titrating a weak polyprotic multiple equivalence points
will occur
•• Midpoint: When the number of moles of strong base added
equals half of the moles of weak acid already present; thus,
the midpoint is half of the equivalence point
ƒƒ At midpoint, pH = pKa
ƒƒ Buffering capacity is maximum
20
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Ph
•• The curve starts at a higher pH than a titration curve of a
strong base
•• There is a steep climb in pH before the first midpoint
•• Gradual increase of pH until past the midpoint.
•• Right before the equivalence point there is a sharp increase
in pH
•• pH steadies itself around the midpoint because the solutions
at this point in the curve are buffer solutions, which means
that adding small increments of a strong base will only
barely change the pH
•• Increase in pH near the equivalence point
•• Number of equivalence points determine the number of
ionisable groups; So here toe ionisable groups are there
•• Zone between the two equivalence points is region of
buffering as there is slow rise or resistance to change in pH
3. Ans. (a)  Modifier at the allosteric site can affect the catalytic
site too
[Ref. Harper, 30/e p91]
•• Jacques Monod theory: Existence of allosteric sites are
physically distinct from the catalytic site
•• Allosteric enzymes thus are those for which affects the
catalytic site may be modulated by the presence of effectors
at an allosteric site (acts on both sites)
•• In general, binding of an allosteric regulator influences
catalysis by inducing a conformational change that
encompasses the active site
4. Ans. (d) Curve A depicts competitive inhibition while
curve B depicts noncompetitive inhibition
[Ref. Biochemistry by Campbell, 6/e p168]
•• Competitive/ Substrate-Analogue Inhibitor
ƒƒ Existence of competition between inhibitor and normal
substrate for the catalytic binding site of the enzyme due
/e
to similar structural configuration of both Inhibitor and
Normal substrate
,3 ƒƒ Competitive inhibition can be reversed or relieved by
increasing substrate concentration
ƒƒ Kinetics: Km is increased, Vmax remains unchanged
•• Non-Competitive Inhibitor
ƒƒ Inhibitor is different from substrate: Binds to enzyme at a
site other than Substrate-binding/Catalytic. site inducing
a conformational change in 3D shape of the enzyme,
thereby lowering its catalytic activity
ƒƒ Increase in substrate concentration DOES NOT reverse
the inhibition
ƒƒ Kinetics: Decreased Vmax
Topper’s edge..................................................
COLLAGEN
•• Uncompetitive Inhibitor
ƒƒ Bind to Enzyme-Substrate (ES) complex to form ESI
(Enzyme Substrate Inhibitor) complex: Binding occur at a
site distant or overlapping with active site
ƒƒ Kinetics: Decreased Vmax, Decreased Km
5. Ans. (d)  Structure of DNA
[Ref. Chatterjee, 8/e p250; Vasudevan, 6/e p470]
WATSON & CRICK (PHOTOGRAPH) MODEL OF DNA
•• Right handed double helix
•• Complimentary strands
•• Antiparallel strands
•• Hydrogen bonds between bases
•• Chargaff rule: A pairs with T, G pairs with C
•• Helix 20 Å diameter
•• Pitch of spiral: 3.4 nm per turn
•• 10 base pairs within each turn
 Answers & Explanations 121
•• Hydrolytic release of the amide nitrogen of glutamine as

Topper’s edge..................................................
•• DNA replication: Watson and Crick model suggests that
because one strand of DNA is the complement of the other,
upon unwinding of the double helix (dsDNA), each strand
(ssDNA) acts as a template for the formation of a new strand
BIOCHEMISTRY
ammonia (Photograph), catalysed by glutaminase, strongly
favours glutamate formation
•• An analogous reaction is catalysed by L –asparaginase
•• Concerted action of glutamine synthetase and glutaminase
thus catalyses the interconversion of free ammonium ion
and glutamine

6. Ans. (d)  Type IV 9. Ans. (b)  Symport

[Ref. Chatterjee, 8/e p806] [Ref. Harper, 30/e p487]

BASEMENT MEMBRANE (PHOTOGRAPH) TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

•• Thin delicate membrane of protein fibres and mucopolysac- •• Uniport: system moves one type of molecule bidirectionally
charides separating an epithelium from underlying tissue) •• Cotransport: the transfer of one solute depends upon
sequential transfer of another solute
•• Symport: System moves two solutes in the same direction
(Photograph)
Topper’s edge..................................................
ƒƒ Example: Sodium dependent glucose transporter
TYPES OF COLLAGEN: 19 TYPES •• Antiport: systems move two molecules in opposite
•• Type I (MC): Whole body directions
•• Type II: Cartilage, Vitreous humour

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•• Type III: Skin, Lungs, Vascular tissues 10. Ans. (a)  Glycine
•• Type IV: Basement membranes
[Ref. Harper, 30/e p628]

7. Ans. (a)  Type I

,3 ROLE OF GLYCINE IN COLLAGEN (PHOTOGRAPH)
•• Glycine is necessary for normal folding of Collagen helix
20
[Ref. Harper, 28/e p1038] •• In order for three alpha chains of Collagen to interact
•• Collagen (Photograph) is the most abundant of fibrous properly, the chains must cross over each other at Glycine
residues where a bulky chain won’t fit
proteins that constitute more than 25% of protein mass in
on

•• Interaction of three collagen alpha-chains form a Right

human body
handed triple helix
•• Other prominent fibrous proteins include keratin and
myosin
ot

•• These fibrous proteins represent a primary source of Topper’s edge..................................................

structural strength for cells ie, the cytoskeleton and tissues
Ph

COLLAGEN
•• Structural composition: Glycine (33%), Proline (10%),
8. Ans. (b)  Glutaminase Hydroxyproline (10%) and Hydroxylysine (1%)
[Ref. Harper, 28/e p495] •• Has a triple helical structure
•• Lysine residues form intramolecular covalent cross links
•• Intermolecular covalent cross-links are formed by two
hydroxylysine residues along with one lysine residue
•• Glycine residues at every third position of the triple helical
portion of the alpha chain
•• Repeating structure, represented bas (Gly-X-Y)n, is an
absolute requirement for the formation of the triple helix
(where X and Y can be any other amino acids)

11. Ans. (b)  GLUT 2

[Ref. Harper, 30/e p191]

MAJOR GLUCOSE TRANSPORTERS

•• Glutamine synthetase plays a major role in ammonia
detoxification, inter organ nitrogen flux, and acid-base
homeostasis
•• GLUT 1: Brain, kidney, colon, placenta, erythrocytes
Glucose uptake
•• GLUT 2: Liver, pancreatic beta cell (Photograph), small
intestine, kidney Rapid uptake or release of glucose
•• GLUT 3: Brain, kidney, placenta Glucose uptake
•• GLUT 4: Heart and skeletal muscle, adipose tissue Insulin-
stimulated glucose uptake
 122 Answers & Explanations

•• GLUT 5: Small intestine Absorption of fructose •• Pinocytosis: A form of endocytosis in which small particles
PHOTON 20

are brought into the cell suspended within small vesicles

which subsequently fuse with lysosomes to hydrolyze, or to
Topper’s edge.................................................. break down, the particles
•• Sodium-dependent unidirectional transporter, SGLT 1: •• Endocytosis: A process where cells absorb material
Found in Small intestine and kidney & function is active (molecules such as proteins) from the outside by engulfing
uptake of glucose against a concentration gradient it with their cell membrane
•• Exocytosis: Durable process by which a cell directs secretory
12. Ans. (d)  Glycolysis vesicles out of the cell membrane (Photograph)
ƒƒ These membrane-bound vesicles contain soluble proteins
[Ref. Chatterjee, 8/e p327]
to be secreted to the extracellular environment, as well
•• Glucose is degraded by glycolysis to pyruvate, which in as membrane proteins and lipids that are sent to become
presence of O2 is completely oxidized to CO2 and H2O components of the cell membrane
•• Glycolysis occurs in cytosol all tissues (Not in mitochondria
- Photograph) 16. Ans. (a)  Na+ - K+ pump
Biological pathway Organelle [Ref. Harper, 26/e p426]
Glycolysis Cytosol
•• B in Photograph: Symport moves these solutes in the same
HMP shunt Cytosol
direction
Heme synthesis Cytosol + mitochondria ƒƒ Example: Na+ sugar transporters (for glucose and
Urea synthesis Cytosol + mitochondria certain other sugars)

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Gluconeogenesis Cytosol + mitochondria
Krebs (TCA) cycle Mitochondria
ETC Mitochondria ,3 Topper’s edge..................................................
•• A in Photograph: Uniport moves one type of molecule in a
13. Ans. (b)  Gene synthesis bidirectional manner
20
•• C in Photograph: Antiport moves two molecules in opposite
[Ref. Biochemistry by Chakravorty, 1/e p272] directions (e.g.: Na+ - K+ pump)
DR HARGOBIND KHORANA (PHOTOGRAPH)
on

•• First synthetic gene available was a yeast tRNA synthesized 17. Ans. (d)  Phosphoglycerate kinase
by Dr Hargobind Khorana in 1972
•• Nobel prize winner [Ref. Harper, 26/e p136, 210]
ot

•• Khorana developed methods for synthesis of nucleotide GLYCOLYSIS (PHOTOGRAPH)

polymers (i.e., synthetic RNA) used to crack the Genetic •• A process by which glucose molecules are metabolized
Ph

code through a series of enzymatic reactions into 2 molecules of

•• Author of ‘Genetic Code Word Dicitonary’
14. Ans. (b)  Reduction reaction
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p87]
•• Reduction: Gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation
state by a molecule, atom, or ion
•• Oxidation: Loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation
state by a molecule, atom, or ion
•• Many dehydrogenases utilize NAD+ or NADP+ or both
formed in the body from the vitamin Niacin (Photograph)
•• These coenzymes are reduced by the specific substrate of
the dehydrogenase and reoxidized by a suitable electron
acceptor
15. Ans. (d)  Exocytosis
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p430; Vasudevan, 6/e p17]
•• Phagocytosis: Cellular process of engulfing solid particles
by the cell membrane to form an internal phagosome (Food
vacuole)
ƒƒ Phagosome is usually delivered to the lysosome
ƒƒ Contents are subsequently degraded and either released
extracellularly via exocytosis, or released intracellularly
to undergo further processing
pyruvate or lactate.
•• Site: Cytosol
•• Aim:
ƒƒ Aerobic glycolysis produces 8 moles of ATP per mole of
glucose
ƒƒ Anaerobic glycolysis produces 2 moles of ATP per mole
of glucose.
•• Tissues dependent: Erythrocytes, cornea, lens & regions of
retina, kidney medulla, testis, leucocytes.
•• Major regulatory and irreversible steps of glycolysis:
ƒƒ Glucose to Glucose –6-phosphate (Hexokinase)
ƒƒ Fructose-6-phosphate to Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate
(Phosphofructokinase)
ƒƒ Phosphoenolpyruvate to Pyruvate (Pyruvate kinase)
Topper’s edge..................................................
•• Phosphoglycerate kinase is one of seven enzymes common
to both glycolysis and gluconeogenesis
•• Enzymes hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and pyruvate
kinase catalyze irreversible reactions unique to glycolysis
•• In order for gluconeogenesis to occur, the three irreversible
reactions must be reversed
 Answers & Explanations 123

18. Ans. (c)  2-carbon end-product is formed •• Committed step, irreversible step and bottle neck of

BIOCHEMISTRY
glycolysis
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p136]
•• Aerobic glycolysis produces 8 moles of ATP per mole 25. Ans. (c)  Pyruvate kinase
of glucose and a 3 carbon compound pyruvate is the end [Ref. Harper, 26/e p153]
product
•• Anerobic glycolysis (Photograph) produces 2 moles of ATP
KEY ENZYMES OF GLUCONEOGENESIS (PHOTOGRAPH)
per mole of glucose and a 3 carbon compound lactate is the Pyruvate Mitochondrial origin
end product carboxykinase Catalyzes conversion of pyruvate to OAA
•• This whole chain of reactions is not a complete breakdown Malate shuttle transfers OAA into cytosol
of glucose as the end product pyruvate enters mitochondria PEP Cytosol in origin
for further break down carboxykinase Catalyzes conversion of OAA to
phosphoenolpyruvate
19. Ans. (c)  Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase Fructose-1,6- Cytosol in origin
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p136] bisphosphatase Reversal of the PFK action.
Glucose-6- Cytosol in origin
STEP 6 OF GLYCOLYSIS (PHOTOGRAPH)
phosphatase Reversal of the hexokinase/glucokinase
•• Enzyme: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase action
•• Conversion of G-3-P to high energy compound 1,3-
bisphospho glycerate

/e
26. Ans. (c)  Partial Mitochondrion, partly Cytoplasm
•• Inorganic phosphate is utilized and NADH is generated
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p153]
20. Ans. (b)  1 cycle produce 2 ATPs
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p136]
,3 GLUCONEOGENESIS (PHOTOGRAPH)
•• Responsible for converting noncarbohydrate macromolecule
20
precursors to glucose or glycogen
21. Ans. (b)  Lactate •• Major substrates: Glucogenic amino acids and lactate,
glycerol, and propionate
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p136] •• Major gluconeogenic tissues: Liver (60-90%) and kidney
on

•• Glucose is metabolized through anaerobic glycolysis (Pho- (10 - 40%)

tograph) to pyruvate and then to the dead-end metabolite •• Sites: Cytoplasm and mitochondria
lactate
ot

27. Ans. (d)  Even chain fatty acids

22. Ans. (a)  Pyruvate kinase [Ref. Harper, 26/e p153]
Ph

[Ref. Harper, 26/e p136]

STEP 10 OF GLYCOLYSIS (PHOTOGRAPH)
•• Enzyme: Pyruvate kinase (2nd MCC of hemolysis)
•• Conversion of PEP to pyruvate.
•• 3rd Irreversible step.
•• Substrate level phosphorylation (ATP is released)
23. Ans. (c)  Glyceraldehyde-3-P-Dehydrogenase
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p136]
STEP 6 OF GLYCOLYSIS (PHOTOGRAPH)
•• Enzyme: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
•• Conversion of Glyceraldehyde -3-Phosohate to high energy
compound 1,3- bisphospho glycerate
•• Inorganic phosphate is utilized and NADH is generated
24. Ans. (d)  Phosphofructokinase
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p136]
STEP 3 OF GLYCOLYSIS (PHOTOGRAPH)
•• Enzyme: Phospho fructokinase (Rate limiting enzyme)
•• Phosphorylation of Fructose-6-Phosphate to Fructose-1,6-
bisphosphate
28. Ans. (b)  Insulin
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p153]
•• Insulin secret in the body in response the high blood pressure
will enhance the production of key enzymes required for
glycolysis and antagonizes glucagon and glucocorticoid
stimulated Camp down regulating the production of key
enzymes of gluconeogenesis
•• Whereas epinephrine and increase the concentration of
cAMP activating the cAMP dependent protein kinase
which will in turn inactivate pyruvate kinase decreasing
the concentration of fructose-2,6- bisphosphate leading to
upregulation of gluconeogenesis (Photograph)
29. Ans. (a)  Liver
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p153]
30. Ans. (a)  Pyruvate carboxylase
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p153]
PYRUVATE CARBOXYLASE
•• It is mitochondrial in origin and is the key enzyme to bypass
one of the irreversible reaction of glycolysis.
 124 Answers & Explanations
•• Catalyzes the carboxylation of pyruvate to Oxaloacetic acid
PHOTON 20
•• Requires ATP and biotin as the coenzyme
31. Ans. (c)  Mannose
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p106]
EPIMERS
•• Epimers are isomers differing in configuration of the -OH
and -H on carbon atoms 2, 3, and 4 of glucose
•• Biologically important epimers of glucose (Photograph):
Mannose and galactose, formed by epimerization at carbons
2 and 4 positions respectively
32. Ans. (b)  RBCs
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p137)
2, 3 BISPHOSPHGLYCERATE (2, 3 BPG) (PHOTOGRAPH)
•• This compound is formed from the glycolytic intermediate
1, 3 BPG
•• In peripheral tissues, an oxygen shortage causes increased
accumulation of 2, 3 BPG
•• One molecule of BPG is bound per Hb tetramer in the
central cavity
•• Role of 2,3 BPG, which is present in high concentration
in tissues, combines with Hb and causes a decrease in the
20
affinity for oxygen thus helping oxyhaemoglobin to unload
oxygen and displacing O2 dissociation curve to the right
•• BPG binds more weakly to fetal Hb than to adult Hb
•• Thus, BPG has a less profound effect on HbF & is responsible
on
for HbF appearing to have a higher affinity for O2 than does
HbA
ot
Topper’s edge..................................................
Ph
•• Concentration of 2,3-BPG in the RBC increases in response
to chronic hypoxia, such as that observed in chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
33. Ans. (b)  NADPH
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p163]
IMPORTANCE OF PPP/HMP SHUNT PATHWAY
(PHOTOGRAPH)
•• PPP is an alternative route for the metabolism of glucose
•• It does not generate ATP
•• Major functions:
ƒƒ Formation of NADPH majorly for synthesis of nitric
oxide, fatty acids and steroids & other important
biochemical pathways
ƒƒ Synthesis of ribose for nucleotide and nucleic acid
formation
34. Ans. (a)  Glucose-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p163]
•• Rate limiting step of PPP/ HMP pathway (Photograph):
Glucose-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase
Topper’s edge..................................................
CHARACTERISTICS OF PPP/ HMP
•• Alternate pathway for glucose metabolism
•• Complete oxidation of glucose occurs unlike glycolysis
•• A complex pathway where there is no ATP is generated
instead NADPH & riboses are produced
35. Ans. (d)  All of the above
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p163]
•• Organs involved in PPP/ HMP shunt (Photograph):
Erythrocytes, liver, lactating mammary gland, ovary, testes,
lens of eye, RBC, adipose tissue, adrenal cortex (Cytosol)
ALSO REMEMBER
FUNCTIONS OF PPP/ HMP
•• Generation of NADPH for reductive biosynthesis
ƒƒ Fatty acid synthesis
ƒƒ Steroid hormones synthesis
/e
•• Provides a source of ribose-5-phosphate for nucleic acid
biosynthesis
,3 •• Erythrocytes depends on PPP for NADPH which is required
to maintain glutathione in reduced state which is essential
to maintain integrity of RBC membrane
36. Ans. (d)  ATP neither utilized nor produced
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p163]
•• Oxidation is achieved by dehydrogenation in PPP/ HMP
pathway (Photograph) the same as in Glycolysis
•• NADP+ is the hydrogen acceptor not NAD+
•• ATP is neither generated nor used instead NADPH and
ribosomes are produced
Topper’s edge..................................................
PPP/ HMP PATHWAY IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PHASES
•• An oxidative nonreversible phase: Glucose 6-phosphate
undergoes dehydrogenation and decarboxylation to yield a
pentose, ribulose 5-phosphate.
•• A nonoxidative reversible phase: Ribulose 5-phosphate is
converted back to glucose 6-phosphate involving majorly
two enzymes: transketolase and transaldolase
37. Ans. (c)  Energy production
[Ref. Harper, 26/e p163]
•• Importance of PPP/HMP shunt pathway (Photograph):
ƒƒ PPP is an alternative route for the metabolism of glucose
ƒƒ It does not generate ATP
•• Major functions:
ƒƒ Formation of NADPH Synthesis of ribose for nucleotide
and nucleic acid formation
•• Uses of NADPH:
ƒƒ Prevent oxidative damage of RBC and lens allowing
glutathione to be in reduced state
ƒƒ Reductive synthesis of fatty acids and steroids