Carbohydrate Metabolism

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Biochemistry › Carbohydrate Metabolism

Questions 1 - 10
1

Which of the following is true regarding the aerobic combustion of glucose to yield water and carbon dioxide?

All of these

It has a negative Gibbs free energy

It is thermodynamically favorable

It requires oxygen

Explanation

The combustion of glucose to yield carbon dioxide and water refers to aerobic metabolism (oxidative phosphorylation). This process releases energy, so Gibbs free energy is negative. A negative Gibbs free energy indicates that the products are at a lower energy than the reactants, meaning that the reaction is thermodynamically favorable (spontaneous). Lastly, aerobic metabolism is called so because it requires oxygen. Thus, all of the answers are correct.

2

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 .

3

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 .

4

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.

5

Which of the following is false about the structure and function of ATP synthase?

At least 10 protons pass through ATP synthase in order to make a molecule of ATP.

There are six subunits in its ring.

The rotor has 10 to 14 subunits.

It is a membrane-bound protein.

It synthesizes over 100 ATP molecules per second.

Explanation

ATP synthase can indeed produce more than 100 ATP molecules per second, and in the process, it only requires a few -- three or four -- protons, per ATP. These protons pass down a gradient through the membrane. Hence, the protein is membrane-bound. The protons cause the rotor of 10-14 subunits to spin. The protein's head itself has six subunits, three of which have ADP binding and phosphate binding sites.

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

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.

8

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.

9

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.

10

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.

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