Multiple Choice
Which sugar is found in the backbone of DNA?
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1. Introduction to Biochemistry
Nucleic Acids
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Which major biosynthetic pathways utilize phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP)?
A
Amino acid transamination
B
Purine and pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis
C
Fatty acid synthesis and degradation
D
Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP): PRPP is a key intermediate in nucleotide biosynthesis. It acts as a donor of the ribose-phosphate group in the synthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides.
Review the major biosynthetic pathways listed in the problem: Amino acid transamination, purine and pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis, fatty acid synthesis and degradation, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis.
Eliminate pathways that do not involve PRPP: PRPP is not involved in amino acid transamination, fatty acid synthesis and degradation, or glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. These pathways are unrelated to nucleotide biosynthesis.
Focus on purine and pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis: PRPP is directly utilized in this pathway to form the ribose-phosphate backbone of nucleotides. For example, PRPP reacts with glutamine in the first step of purine biosynthesis to form 5-phosphoribosylamine.
Conclude that PRPP is specifically utilized in purine and pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis, as it is essential for the formation of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA.
