Question

Which of the following activities is catabolic in nature?
A. Cell repair
B. Protoplasm synthesis
C. degradation of amino acid in the liver
D. Conversion of glucose to glycogen

Answer 1

ATP is the basic need of any cell metabolism to occur. The energy in the form of ATP can be used or released depending on the requirement of the process. Both processes are having different properties. Energy releasing processes are catabolic while the energy-consuming ones are called anabolic.

Complete answer:
Catabolism is the breakdown of the molecule or substance. This will release energy.
They usually use water molecules to break down the bonds, and hydrolysis plays a major role.
Glycolysis is an example of both the processes – anabolic and catabolic because at certain points the energy is consumed while at some points energy is released.
Option A: Cell repair: cell will always need the energy to do some work. Repairing of any cell will require ATP thus it is an anabolic process.
Option B: Protoplasm synthesis: Synthesis of anything requires energy so the protoplasm synthesis is an anabolic process.
Option C: Degradation of amino acid in the liver: Degradation of amino acids will produce inorganic molecules from the organic ones. These inorganic molecules will be excreted from the body or can be recycled in the body. Thus the energy release will take place on degradation.
Option D: Conversion of glucose to glycogen: Conversion of glucose to glycogen is an anabolic process as it will need energy In the form of ATP to produce glycogen. It will be stored as fats in the body which can be consumed when the body needs energy.

Hence the correct answer is OPTION(C)

Note: The degradation of amino acids has the first step of removing the nitrogen from them. The product usually is urea which is excreted from the body via urine. Deamination and transamination are the processes occurring in the liver on amino acids.