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

Which tissue cannot use fatty acids directly for fuel during fasting?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Red blood cells

Red blood cells lack mitochondria and therefore depend on anaerobic glycolysis of glucose rather than beta-oxidation of fatty acids.

Option by option

  • A. Cardiac muscle

    Heart relies heavily on fatty acids.

  • B. Liver

    Liver oxidizes fatty acids and makes ketones.

  • C. Skeletal muscle

    Muscle can oxidize fatty acids.

  • D. Red blood cells (correct)

    Correct: no mitochondria prevents fatty-acid oxidation.

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, Red blood cells. Red blood cells lack mitochondria and therefore depend on anaerobic glycolysis of glucose rather than beta-oxidation of fatty acids.

Why is "Cardiac muscle" not the answer?

Heart relies heavily on fatty acids.

Why is "Liver" not the answer?

Liver oxidizes fatty acids and makes ketones.

Why is "Skeletal muscle" not the answer?

Muscle can oxidize fatty acids.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Carbohydrate metabolism in Biochemistry. The correct option holds because: Correct: no mitochondria prevents fatty-acid oxidation.

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.