Clinical Nutritionist CCN Nutritional Biochemistry and Supplementation

Question 1

Which omega-3 fatty acid is primarily responsible for anti-inflammatory effects through production of resolvins and protectins?

Accepted Answer

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)

Answer

EPA and DHA are the long-chain omega-3s that directly produce anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, resolvins, and protectins; ALA must be converted to EPA/DHA with low efficiency.

Question 2

Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol/ubiquinone) plays what essential role in cellular metabolism?

Accepted Answer

Electron carrier in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC)

Answer

CoQ10 shuttles electrons between complexes I/II and complex III of the mitochondrial ETC, and its reduced form (ubiquinol) also acts as a lipid-soluble antioxidant.

Question 3

What is the function of the methionine cycle and why is it clinically important?

Accepted Answer

It regenerates methionine from homocysteine, producing SAM for methylation reactions, and requires B12, folate, and B6

Answer

The methionine cycle produces S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the universal methyl donor; impairment from B12/folate/B6 deficiency elevates homocysteine, a cardiovascular risk factor.

Question 4

Alpha-lipoic acid is considered a 'universal antioxidant' because:

Accepted Answer

It is both water- and fat-soluble and can regenerate other antioxidants including vitamins C and E and glutathione

Answer

Unlike most antioxidants, alpha-lipoic acid functions in both aqueous and lipid environments and can recycle oxidized forms of vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione, amplifying overall antioxidant capacity.

Question 5

Which precursor is required for endogenous synthesis of carnitine, essential for mitochondrial fatty acid transport?

Accepted Answer

Lysine and methionine, with cofactors vitamin C, B6, niacin, and iron

Answer

Carnitine is synthesized from lysine and methionine through a pathway requiring ascorbate, iron, pyridoxal phosphate, and niacin; deficiency impairs long-chain fatty acid entry into mitochondria.

Clinical Nutritionist CCN Practice Test

Clinical Nutritionist CCN Practice Test

Clinical Nutritionist CCN Nutritional Biochemistry and Supplementation