Amino acids: 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 acids

Sample item

Which amino acid is the main nitrogen donor in many transamination reactions?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Glutamate

Glutamate collects amino groups from many amino acids and donates them in transamination reactions, linking amino-acid metabolism with the urea cycle.

Option by option

  • A. Tryptophan

    Tryptophan is an essential aromatic amino acid.

  • B. Cysteine

    Cysteine contains sulfur but is not the main donor.

  • C. Glutamate (correct)

    Correct: glutamate is the central amino-group carrier.

  • D. Glycine

    Glycine has other metabolic roles.

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 C, Glutamate. Glutamate collects amino groups from many amino acids and donates them in transamination reactions, linking amino-acid metabolism with the urea cycle.

Why is "Tryptophan" not the answer?

Tryptophan is an essential aromatic amino acid.

Why is "Cysteine" not the answer?

Cysteine contains sulfur but is not the main donor.

Why is "Glycine" not the answer?

Glycine has other metabolic roles.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Amino acids in Biochemistry. The correct option holds because: Correct: glutamate is the central amino-group carrier.

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 acids?

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.