Question

Glyoxysomes are useful in
A. Converting sugars to fats
B. Converting fats to sugars
C. Deamination and converting amino acids to fatty acids
D. Amination and changing fatty acids to amino acids

Answer 1

Different cells have different types of cell organelles, each concerned with a specific function. Glyoxysome is one of them. It is a specialized peroxisome, found in germinating seeds. They are present in abundance in germinating seeds. Glyoxysomes are also found in filamentous fungi.

Complete step by step answer:
-Harry Beevers and R.W.Breidenbach discovered glyoxysomes in 1961.
-Glyoxysomes, also referred to as microbodies, are single membrane bound organelles.
-Glyoxysome are present along with lipid bodies in cotyledons. During germination, the fatty acids are converted to sugars.
-These are temporary structures and are removed once the plant begins to produce its own food via photosynthesis.
-They contain enzymes such as Isocitrate lyase and malate synthase that help break down the fatty acids.
-They also comprise enzymes that aid in the synthesis of sugars via gluconeogenesis.
-The glyoxylate cycle occurs only in the glyoxysome. It functions to convert acetyl-coA to succinate.
-Succinate is produced in the glyoxysome and is then converted to sucrose.
-The synthesized sugars are then utilized by the seedling during germination.
-In the absence of glucose, microorganisms employ the glyoxylate cycle to utilize carbon as their energy source.
-Glyoxysomes are absent in animal cells except in some lower animals.
Glyoxysomes are useful in converting fats to sugar. So, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: Glyoxysomes are found in the fatty cotyledons of watermelon, cucumber, pumpkin and sunflower. Glyoxysomes also contain catalase, therefore they may be related to peroxisomes. They participate in photorespiration and nitrogen metabolism.