MDCAT Chemistry MCQ #537

During the oxidation of glyoxal, a toxic aldehyde, which mechanism is primarily responsible for its breakdown to more stable products?

MDCAT Chemistry MCQ #537

  1. Question 1

    Q1. During the oxidation of glyoxal, a toxic aldehyde, which mechanism is primarily responsible for its breakdown to more stable products?

    • A) Enzymatic reduction by NADH to produce less toxic compounds
    • B) Hemoglobin-catalyzed oxidation to produce carbon dioxide and water
    • C) NADH-dependent reductive amination by the action of a specific enzyme
    • D) Oxidative decarboxylation by the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase

    Answer: Hemoglobin-catalyzed oxidation to produce carbon dioxide and water

    Explanation: Hemoglobin-catalyzed oxidation is primarily responsible for the breakdown of glyoxal. It fails because enzymatic reduction by NADH is primarily involved in the breakdown of other toxic aldehydes.