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Feedback inhibition is a type of regulation for biosynthetic pathways in which t

ID: 162398 • Letter: F

Question

Feedback inhibition is a type of regulation for biosynthetic pathways in which the build up of the product of a reaction inhibits further production of that product. Pyruvate acts as an inhibitor for the reaction that converts PEP to pyruvate. Predict whether the reaction rate of PEP rightarrow Pyruvate will increase or decrease under the following conditions. i. The cell has a high concentration of pyruvate: ii. The cell has a low concentration of pyruvate: iii. The cell has a high concentration of PEP: iv. The cell has a low concentration of PEP: V The cell is treated with an inhibitor of the citric Acid cycle:

Explanation / Answer

Conversion of PEP to pyruvate occurs during the glycolysis, where glucose is metabolised into pyruvate which is citric acid cycle substrate.

1. When a cell has a high concentration of pyruvate, the reaction rate is decreased as pyruvate acts as an inhibitor of the enzyme pyruvate kinase.

2. When a cell has a low concentration of pyruvate, the reaction rate is increased as low amount of pyruvate in the cell will speed up this reaction.

3. The cell has a high concentration of PEP, the reaction rate will be increased.

4. The cell has a low concentration of PEP, the reaction rate will be increased.

5. When the cell is treated with an inhibitor of the citric acid cycle, there would be a buildup of pyruvate in the cell due to which the reaction rate will be decreased.