Amino acid 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 · Amino acid metabolism

Sample item

Which amino acid is an essential dietary amino acid in adults?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Leucine

Leucine cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantity by adults and must be obtained from dietary protein, making it essential.

Option by option

  • A. Leucine (correct)

    Correct: leucine is essential in the adult diet.

  • B. Alanine

    Alanine can be synthesized by transamination.

  • C. Aspartate

    Aspartate can be made from oxaloacetate.

  • D. Glutamate

    Glutamate can be synthesized from alpha-ketoglutarate.

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 A, Leucine. Leucine cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantity by adults and must be obtained from dietary protein, making it essential.

Why is "Alanine" not the answer?

Alanine can be synthesized by transamination.

Why is "Aspartate" not the answer?

Aspartate can be made from oxaloacetate.

Why is "Glutamate" not the answer?

Glutamate can be synthesized from alpha-ketoglutarate.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Amino acid metabolism in Biochemistry. The correct option holds because: Correct: leucine is essential in the adult diet.

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 Amino acid 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.