Metabolism & Bioenergetics MCAT Practice Question
A cell biologist studying metabolic regulation observes that when a hepatocyte is treated with a compound that directly activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), fatty acid synthesis decreases while fatty acid oxidation increases simultaneously. This shift occurs despite adequate ATP levels. Which mechanism best explains AMPK's ability to coordinate these opposing pathways?
Answer choices
- AAMPK phosphorylates and inactivates acetyl-CoA carboxylase, blocking malonyl-CoA formationCorrect answer
- BAMPK directly inhibits mitochondrial β-oxidation enzyme complexes
- CAMPK activates glycolysis to provide NADPH for fatty acid oxidation
- DAMPK phosphorylates ATP synthase, shifting from ATP production to synthesis
- EAMPK directly phosphorylates fatty acid synthase, causing enzyme degradation
- FAMPK inhibits the electron transport chain, forcing cells to rely on fatty acid oxidation for ATP production
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