Biology: Cellular Metabolism Flashcards
7 cards from real DAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Biology: Cellular Metabolism flashcards as text
Beta-oxidation of fatty acids occurs primarily in which organelle and produces what key product?
Answer: Mitochondria, producing acetyl-CoA
Beta-oxidation in the mitochondrial matrix sequentially cleaves fatty acids into acetyl-CoA units.
Gluconeogenesis, the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors, occurs mainly in which organ?
Answer: Liver
The liver is the primary site of gluconeogenesis, maintaining blood glucose during fasting.
Which pathway generates NADPH and 5-carbon sugars for nucleotide synthesis?
Answer: Pentose phosphate pathway
The pentose phosphate pathway produces NADPH for biosynthesis and ribose-5-phosphate for nucleotides.
When dietary glucose is abundant, excess glucose is stored in liver and muscle as:
Answer: Glycogen
Glycogenesis stores excess glucose as glycogen, a branched polymer, in liver and muscle.
The hormone insulin generally promotes which metabolic state?
Answer: Anabolic storage of glucose and fat
Insulin signals the fed state, promoting glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis, and fat storage.
During prolonged starvation, the liver produces ketone bodies primarily from:
Answer: Acetyl-CoA from fatty acid breakdown
Excess acetyl-CoA from beta-oxidation is converted into ketone bodies as an alternative fuel.
Which coenzyme, derived from a B vitamin, is essential as a carrier in both pyruvate dehydrogenase and the citric acid cycle?
Answer: Coenzyme A
Coenzyme A, derived from pantothenic acid (B5), carries acetyl groups in central metabolism.