Lipid metabolism: ketone bodies: 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 · Lipid metabolism: ketone bodies

Sample item

Which organ cannot use ketone bodies as a fuel because it lacks thiophorase?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Liver

The liver produces ketone bodies but lacks succinyl-CoA:acetoacetate CoA transferase (thiophorase), so it cannot consume them. Extrahepatic tissues can use ketones when available.

Option by option

  • A. Heart

    Cardiac muscle readily oxidizes ketone bodies.

  • B. Liver (correct)

    Correct. Hepatocytes export ketones rather than oxidizing them.

  • C. Renal cortex

    Renal cortex can use ketones.

  • D. Skeletal muscle

    Skeletal muscle can use ketone bodies in 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 B, Liver. The liver produces ketone bodies but lacks succinyl-CoA:acetoacetate CoA transferase (thiophorase), so it cannot consume them.

Why is "Heart" not the answer?

Cardiac muscle readily oxidizes ketone bodies.

Why is "Renal cortex" not the answer?

Renal cortex can use ketones.

Why is "Skeletal muscle" not the answer?

Skeletal muscle can use ketone bodies in fasting.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lipid metabolism: ketone bodies in Biochemistry. Extrahepatic tissues can use ketones when available.

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 Lipid metabolism: ketone bodies?

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.