Carbohydrate 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 · Carbohydrate metabolism

Sample item

During fasting, which hormone most directly stimulates hepatic glycogen breakdown?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Glucagon

Glucagon signals a fasting state to the liver and activates glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, helping maintain blood glucose after dietary carbohydrate is no longer available.

Option by option

  • A. Prolactin

    Prolactin primarily regulates lactation-related functions.

  • B. Aldosterone

    Aldosterone regulates sodium and potassium balance.

  • C. Insulin

    Insulin promotes glucose storage and suppresses hepatic glucose output.

  • D. Glucagon (correct)

    Correct: glucagon promotes hepatic glucose release during fasting.

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.

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Questions about this Biochemistry question

What is the answer to this Biochemistry question?

The best answer is D, Glucagon. Glucagon signals a fasting state to the liver and activates glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, helping maintain blood glucose after dietary carbohydrate is no longer available.

Why is "Prolactin" not the answer?

Prolactin primarily regulates lactation-related functions.

Why is "Aldosterone" not the answer?

Aldosterone regulates sodium and potassium balance.

Why is "Insulin" not the answer?

Insulin promotes glucose storage and suppresses hepatic glucose output.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Carbohydrate metabolism in Biochemistry. The correct option holds because: Correct: glucagon promotes hepatic glucose release during fasting.

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 Carbohydrate 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.