The enzyme that links carbon and nitrogen metabolism is:
The enzyme that links carbon and nitrogen metabolism is:
Select an option to attempt
Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation
Glutamine synthetase links carbon and nitrogen metabolism:This reaction is critical because:• It incorporates inorganic ammonium () — the primary form of inorganic nitrogen — into glutamine (an organic nitrogen compound).• Glutamine then serves as a nitrogen donor for nucleotide synthesis, amino acid transamination, and many other biosynthetic reactions.• It thus connects carbon skeletons (from carbon metabolism) with nitrogen assimilation.Other options:• Transketolase: transfers 2-carbon units in pentose phosphate pathway (carbon metabolism only).• Glutamate dehydrogenase: catalyses glutamate ⇌ α-ketoglutarate + NH₃ (also involved but less 'primary').• Enolase: glycolytic enzyme (carbon metabolism only).Answer: Glutamine synthetase (Option 1).