Biochemistry · Vitamins (Fat-Soluble and Water-Soluble, Deficiencies)

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) deficiency is rare because the vitamin is widespread in food. Its biochemical importance lies in being a structural component of:

  • A Thiamine pyrophosphate and transketolase
  • B Coenzyme A and the phosphopantetheine arm of the acyl carrier protein
  • C NAD and NADP derived from dietary tryptophan
  • D Pyridoxal phosphate-dependent transaminases
Correct answer: B. Coenzyme A and the phosphopantetheine arm of the acyl carrier protein

Explanation

Pantothenic acid forms pantetheine, which carries acyl groups through its sulfhydryl group in coenzyme A and in the phosphopantetheine prosthetic group of the fatty acid synthase acyl carrier protein. NAD derives from niacin or tryptophan (option C), and TPP plus transketolase involve thiamine (option A), so both are structurally unrelated to pantothenate.

Reference: Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, 32nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.

Sponsored

Want to test yourself?

Create a free account for timed mock tests, mistake tracking, and FSRS spaced-repetition revision across 43,000+ MCQs.

Start free → Log in

More Vitamins (Fat-Soluble and Water-Soluble, Deficiencies) MCQs

See all Vitamins (Fat-Soluble and Water-Soluble, Deficiencies) MCQs →