Heme metabolism: practice question

A Biochemistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Biochemistry · Heme metabolism

Sample item

What enzyme inserts iron into protoporphyrin IX during heme synthesis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Ferrochelatase

Ferrochelatase catalyzes the final heme-synthesis step by incorporating ferrous iron into protoporphyrin IX to form heme.

Option by option

  • A. Catalase

    Catalase detoxifies hydrogen peroxide.

  • B. Ferrochelatase (correct)

    Correct: ferrochelatase performs the final iron-insertion step.

  • C. Heme oxygenase

    Heme oxygenase degrades heme to biliverdin.

  • D. Aminolevulinate synthase

    ALA synthase catalyzes an early mitochondrial heme-synthesis step.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Biochemistry questions

Questions about this Biochemistry question

What is the answer to this Biochemistry question?

The best answer is B, Ferrochelatase. Ferrochelatase catalyzes the final heme-synthesis step by incorporating ferrous iron into protoporphyrin IX to form heme.

Why is "Catalase" not the answer?

Catalase detoxifies hydrogen peroxide.

Why is "Heme oxygenase" not the answer?

Heme oxygenase degrades heme to biliverdin.

Why is "Aminolevulinate synthase" not the answer?

ALA synthase catalyzes an early mitochondrial heme-synthesis step.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Heme metabolism in Biochemistry. The correct option holds because: Correct: ferrochelatase performs the final iron-insertion step.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Heme metabolism?

Build one table of enzyme deficiency, disease, inheritance and key finding, then revise it by spaced recall. Then use the flashcards and the other Biochemistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.