Catabolic Pathways and Metabolism

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Biochemistry › Catabolic Pathways and Metabolism

Questions 1 - 10
1

Which of the following steps within the citric acid cycle directly produces ATP (or GTP) as a side product?

The conversion of succinyl-CoA to succinate

The conversion of citrate to cis-aconitate

The conversion of alpha-ketoglutarate to succinyl-CoA

The conversion of fumarate to malate

The conversion of malate to oxaloacetate

Explanation

The only step of the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle, or the TCA cycle) that directly produces ATP or GTP is the conversion of succinyl-CoA to succinate.

In this reaction, succinyl-CoA is converted to succinate with the assistance of the enzyme, succinyl-CoA synthetase. During this reaction, ADP + Pi (or GDP + Pi) is also converted to ATP (or GTP) using the energy from the breaking of the bond between CoA and succinate. Thus, the overall reaction appears as:

While side products of some of the other reactions listed produce intermediaries that may be used to produce ATP in the future, these reactions do not directly produce ATP.

2

If an uncoupler allows for excess buildup of protons inside of the mitochondrial matrix, which of the following processes will be inhibited?

None of these will be inhibited

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

Electron transport chain

Glycolysis

Krebs cycle

Explanation

With the excess buildup of protons in the matrix, the only thing that will be inhibited is the generation of ATP by ATP synthase. The other processes in cellular respiration focus more on creation of high energy electron carriers, and therefore will continue as normal.

3

Which of the following metabolic processes directly requires oxygen?

Electron transport system

Glycolysis

Citric acid cycle

Tricarboxylic acid cycle

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

Explanation

The electron transport system is the only metabolic process listed that directly requires molecular oxygen. Oxygen is the final electron acceptor (it is one of the most electronegative atoms in our bodies) in the electron transport chain. This is the same as saying that oxygen has the highest reduction potential, and is capable of receiving electons. If oxygen is not present to accept the electron from the final enzyme complex in the inner mitochondrial membrane, then electron transport will be inhibited and thus no ATP will be produced via chemiosmosis.

Note that the Krebs cycle, citric acid cycle, and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) all refer to the same process, and do not directly require oxygen (oxygen is neither a reactant nor a product in any of the steps). However, oxygen is indirectly required, as there is no point to this cycle without subsequent oxidative phosphorylation. Thus in the absence of oxygen, of the choices shown, only glycolysis will proceed uninhibited.

4

The urea cycle is vital to the excretion of ammonia, a harmful byproduct of amino acid breakdown.

What enzyme in the urea cycle converts L-ornithine to L-citrulline?

Ornithine transcarbamylase

Argininosuccinate synthetase

Argininosuccinate lyase

Ornithine synthetase

Explanation

Ornithine transcarbamylase catalyzes the reaction between the substrates ornithine and carbamoyl phosphate to form citrulline and phosphate. This process occurs primarily in the hepatic mitochondria, and to a lesser extent in the mitochondria of the renal cells.

5

What is the role of ubiquinone in the electron transport chain?

Ubiquinone carries electrons from the first enzyme complex to the second enzyme complex

Ubiquinone carries electrons from the third enzyme complex to the fourth enzyme complex

Ubiquinone accepts electrons directly from

Ubiquinone accepts electrons directly from

Ubiquinone is the final step in which oxygen is reduced to water

Explanation

Ubiquinone functions to carry electrons in oxidative phosphorylation from the first enzyme complex to the second enzyme complex. It does not receive electrons from nor directly.

6

If an uncoupler allows for excess buildup of protons inside of the mitochondrial matrix, which of the following processes will be inhibited?

None of these will be inhibited

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

Electron transport chain

Glycolysis

Krebs cycle

Explanation

With the excess buildup of protons in the matrix, the only thing that will be inhibited is the generation of ATP by ATP synthase. The other processes in cellular respiration focus more on creation of high energy electron carriers, and therefore will continue as normal.

7

In which of the following cases would the citric acid cycle be downregulated?

High levels of ATP

High levels of ADP

Increased amounts of

Lower levels of NADH

Explanation

The purpose of the citric acid cycle is to produce energy (both directly via GTP, and indirectly via NADH and . As such, energy can be though of to be on the products side of the sum of the reactions of the Krebs cycle. From Le Chatelier's principle, we know that if we want to inhibit a forward reaction, we can increase the concentration of the products. This will inhibit the forward reaction, and push the equilibrium to the left. Thus, in a high energy state, the ratio of ATP:ADP, like that of NADH: is high since both ATP and NADH are products of metabolism.

8

Which of the following steps within the citric acid cycle directly produces ATP (or GTP) as a side product?

The conversion of succinyl-CoA to succinate

The conversion of citrate to cis-aconitate

The conversion of alpha-ketoglutarate to succinyl-CoA

The conversion of fumarate to malate

The conversion of malate to oxaloacetate

Explanation

The only step of the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle, or the TCA cycle) that directly produces ATP or GTP is the conversion of succinyl-CoA to succinate.

In this reaction, succinyl-CoA is converted to succinate with the assistance of the enzyme, succinyl-CoA synthetase. During this reaction, ADP + Pi (or GDP + Pi) is also converted to ATP (or GTP) using the energy from the breaking of the bond between CoA and succinate. Thus, the overall reaction appears as:

While side products of some of the other reactions listed produce intermediaries that may be used to produce ATP in the future, these reactions do not directly produce ATP.

9

Why does consuming alcohol (ethanol) promote storage of fatty acids in the form of triglycerides (fatty tissue), especially in the liver?

The produced from ethanol oxidation to acetaldehyde inhibits fatty acid oxidation, causing them to be stored as triglycerides

The produced from ethanol oxidation to acetaldehyde inhibits fatty acid oxidation, causing them to be stored as triglycerides

The acetaldehyde produced from ethanol directly inhibits enzymes which oxidize fatty acids

The free radicals produced in this process directly inhibit enzymes which oxidize fatty acids

Ethanol directly inhibits the enzymes which oxidize fatty acids by binding to their active sites

Explanation

The oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde in the liver produces , leading to an elevated ratio. Multiple enzymes responsible for fatty acid oxidation are under control of this ratio; they are active when there is more an inactive when there is more . Thus, they become inactivated, and fatty acids are stored in the liver as triglycerides - this is why alcoholism leads to fatty liver disease. Free radicals can damage the liver and other tissues but do not directly inhibit these enzymes; neither does the ethanol molecule itself nor acetaldehyde

10

In photosynthesis, if photosystem II absorbs 12 photons, how many molecules of would be produced?

Explanation

Absorbing four photons by photosystem II creates one oxygen molecule, so absorbing 12 would produce 3 molecules of .

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