Subtopic: Fundamentals of Biomolecules, enzyme kinetics
Question Statement:
Terpenoids are made of ___________ units
Options:
(A) Gap penalties
(B) Match scores
(C) Mismatch scores
(D) Nucleotide composition
Official Answer Key:
C
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
### **Official Solution & Concept Analysis (GATE BT 2022 Q.22)**
**1. Governing Concept**:
- **Topic**: Biochemistry & Secondary Metabolites (Terpenoids)
- Terpenoids (isoprenoids) are structurally derived from five-carbon (C5) **isoprene** units ($\text{C}_5\text{H}_8$), biologically synthesized via the mevalonate (MVA) pathway or methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway.
- Active building blocks: Isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and Dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), joined head-to-tail to form monoterpenes (C10), sesquiterpenes (C15), diterpenes (C20), etc.
**2. Option Analysis**:
- **Option (A) [amino acid] is INCORRECT**: Amino acids polymerize into peptides and proteins.
- **Option (B) [glucose] is INCORRECT**: Glucose forms polysaccharides (cellulose, starch, glycogen).
- **Option (C) [isoprene] is CORRECT**: The fundamental 5-carbon structural unit of all terpenoids.
- **Option (D) [nucleotide] is INCORRECT**: Nucleotides form nucleic acids (DNA/RNA).
**3. Final Answer**:
- **Correct Choice**: **C**
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