Introduction: Glycolysis is a central pathway in glucose metabolism and an essential topic for B. Pharm students studying pharmacology, biochemistry, and clinical therapeutics. Understanding glycolysis—its enzymes, regulation, ATP and NADH yield, and links to lactate production and the TCA cycle—helps explain drug effects, energy metabolism in tissues, and disease states such as cancer and inherited enzyme deficiencies. Key concepts include rate-limiting steps, substrate-level phosphorylation, and regulatory molecules like ATP, AMP, and fructose-2,6-bisphosphate. Mastery of glycolysis supports rational drug design and interpretation of metabolic tests. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which enzyme catalyzes the first irreversible step of glycolysis by phosphorylating glucose?
- Glucokinase
- Hexokinase
- Phosphofructokinase-1
- Pyruvate kinase
Correct Answer: Hexokinase
Q2. What is the net ATP yield per molecule of glucose in anaerobic glycolysis?
- 4 ATP
- 2 ATP
- 36 ATP
- 0 ATP
Correct Answer: 2 ATP
Q3. Which glycolytic step produces NADH?
- Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate
- Phosphoenolpyruvate to pyruvate
- Fructose-6-phosphate to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate
- Glucose to glucose-6-phosphate
Correct Answer: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate
Q4. Which enzyme is considered the major regulatory and rate-limiting enzyme of glycolysis?
- Hexokinase
- Pyruvate kinase
- Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1)
- Enolase
Correct Answer: Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1)
Q5. Which metabolite allosterically activates phosphofructokinase-1?
- ATP
- Citrate
- Fructose-2,6-bisphosphate
- Glucose-6-phosphate
Correct Answer: Fructose-2,6-bisphosphate
Q6. The conversion of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to pyruvate generates which product directly?
- NADH
- ATP
- GTP
- FADH2
Correct Answer: ATP
Q7. Which enzyme deficiency is commonly associated with hemolytic anemia due to impaired glycolysis in erythrocytes?
- Glucokinase deficiency
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency
- Hexokinase overactivity
- Enolase deficiency
Correct Answer: Pyruvate kinase deficiency
Q8. Which glycolytic intermediate is a branch point into the pentose phosphate pathway?
- Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate
- Glucose-6-phosphate
- 3-Phosphoglycerate
- Pyruvate
Correct Answer: Glucose-6-phosphate
Q9. Which enzyme catalyzes the cleavage of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate into two triose phosphates?
- Aldolase
- Triose phosphate isomerase
- Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
- Phosphoglycerate kinase
Correct Answer: Aldolase
Q10. Which reaction in glycolysis is reversible under cellular conditions?
- Glucose to glucose-6-phosphate
- Fructose-6-phosphate to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate
- Phosphoenolpyruvate to pyruvate
- Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate
Correct Answer: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate
Q11. Which cofactor is required by glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase?
- FAD
- NAD+
- NADP+
- CoA
Correct Answer: NAD+
Q12. During anaerobic glycolysis in muscle, pyruvate is reduced to which product to regenerate NAD+?
- Acetyl-CoA
- Lactate
- Ethanol
- Oxaloacetate
Correct Answer: Lactate
Q13. Which enzyme catalyzes the reversible isomerization between dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate?
- Triose phosphate isomerase
- Enolase
- Aldolase B
- Hexokinase
Correct Answer: Triose phosphate isomerase
Q14. Which glycolytic enzyme is activated by feed-forward stimulation from fructose-1,6-bisphosphate?
- Hexokinase
- Pyruvate kinase
- Phosphoglycerate kinase
- Phosphofructokinase-1
Correct Answer: Pyruvate kinase
Q15. Which liver-specific enzyme has a higher Km for glucose and acts as a glucose sensor?
- Hexokinase I
- Hexokinase II
- Glucokinase
- Phosphoglucose isomerase
Correct Answer: Glucokinase
Q16. 2-Deoxyglucose acts as an inhibitor of glycolysis by targeting which step?
- Conversion of fructose-6-phosphate to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate
- Phosphorylation of glucose by hexokinase
- Conversion of PEP to pyruvate
- Isomerization of glucose-6-phosphate to fructose-6-phosphate
Correct Answer: Phosphorylation of glucose by hexokinase
Q17. Which glycolytic enzyme requires inorganic phosphate and NAD+ and performs an oxidation?
- Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
- Phosphoglycerate mutase
- Enolase
- Pyruvate kinase
Correct Answer: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
Q18. Which intermediate directly participates in substrate-level phosphorylation to form ATP?
- 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate
- Fructose-6-phosphate
- Glucose-1-phosphate
- Pyruvate
Correct Answer: 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate
Q19. Which condition is characteristic of the Warburg effect relevant to glycolysis in cancer cells?
- Increased oxidative phosphorylation and decreased glycolysis
- Increased glycolysis even in presence of oxygen
- Complete reliance on gluconeogenesis
- Inhibition of hexokinase activity
Correct Answer: Increased glycolysis even in presence of oxygen
Q20. Which metabolite inhibits hexokinase via product inhibition?
- ATP
- Glucose-6-phosphate
- Fructose-2,6-bisphosphate
- Pyruvate
Correct Answer: Glucose-6-phosphate
Q21. Which enzyme catalyzes the conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate?
- Enolase
- Phosphoglycerate mutase
- Pyruvate kinase
- Phosphoglycerate kinase
Correct Answer: Enolase
Q22. In liver, which hormone promotes glycolysis by increasing levels of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate?
- Glucagon
- Cortisol
- Insulin
- Adrenaline
Correct Answer: Insulin
Q23. Which step of glycolysis is bypassed by fructose metabolism in the liver, leading to rapid triglyceride synthesis?
- Hexokinase step (glucose to G6P)
- Phosphofructokinase-1 step
- Pyruvate kinase step
- Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase step
Correct Answer: Phosphofructokinase-1 step
Q24. Which enzyme converts pyruvate to lactate during anaerobic glycolysis?
- Lactate dehydrogenase
- Pyruvate carboxylase
- Pyruvate dehydrogenase
- Alanine aminotransferase
Correct Answer: Lactate dehydrogenase
Q25. How many ATP molecules are consumed in the preparatory phase of glycolysis per glucose?
- 0 ATP
- 1 ATP
- 2 ATP
- 4 ATP
Correct Answer: 2 ATP
Q26. Which glycolytic enzyme is inhibited by ATP as an allosteric regulator?
- Pyruvate kinase
- Phosphofructokinase-1
- Hexokinase
- Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
Correct Answer: Phosphofructokinase-1
Q27. Which molecule is the immediate substrate for pyruvate dehydrogenase after glycolysis?
- Oxaloacetate
- Lactate
- Pyruvate
- Acetyl-CoA
Correct Answer: Pyruvate
Q28. Which glycolytic enzyme deficiency is associated with congenital nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia?
- Aldolase A deficiency
- Fructokinase deficiency
- Pyruvate carboxylase deficiency
- Glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency
Correct Answer: Aldolase A deficiency
Q29. Which intermediate is converted to 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG) in red blood cells affecting hemoglobin affinity?
- 3-Phosphoglycerate
- 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate
- 2-Phosphoglycerate
- Phosphoenolpyruvate
Correct Answer: 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate
Q30. Which glycolytic enzyme’s activity is increased by fructose-2,6-bisphosphate?
- Hexokinase
- Phosphofructokinase-1
- Pyruvate carboxylase
- Phosphoglucose isomerase
Correct Answer: Phosphofructokinase-1
Q31. Which reaction directly produces ATP by substrate-level phosphorylation in glycolysis?
- Conversion of 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate to 3-phosphoglycerate
- Conversion of 3-phosphoglycerate to 2-phosphoglycerate
- Conversion of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate
- Conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate
Correct Answer: Conversion of 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate to 3-phosphoglycerate
Q32. Where does glycolysis occur within the cell?
- Mitochondrial matrix
- Endoplasmic reticulum
- Cytosol
- Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: Cytosol
Q33. Which enzyme converts glucose-6-phosphate to fructose-6-phosphate?
- Phosphofructokinase-1
- Phosphoglucose isomerase
- Hexokinase
- Glucose-6-phosphatase
Correct Answer: Phosphoglucose isomerase
Q34. In glycolysis, how many molecules of NADH are produced per glucose under aerobic conditions?
- 4 NADH
- 2 NADH
- 6 NADH
- 1 NADH
Correct Answer: 2 NADH
Q35. Which drug or compound specifically inhibits glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by alkylation?
- Iodoacetate
- 2-deoxyglucose
- Arsenate
- Fluoride
Correct Answer: Iodoacetate
Q36. Arsenate uncouples ATP formation in glycolysis by substituting for which phosphate-containing intermediate?
- 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate
- 3-Phosphoglycerate
- Phosphoenolpyruvate
- Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate
Correct Answer: 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate
Q37. Which enzyme catalyzes the conversion of 3-phosphoglycerate to 2-phosphoglycerate?
- Phosphoglycerate mutase
- Phosphoglycerate kinase
- Enolase
- Isocitrate dehydrogenase
Correct Answer: Phosphoglycerate mutase
Q38. Which glycolytic enzyme is commonly targeted by hexokinase inhibitors as a potential anticancer strategy?
- Aldolase
- Hexokinase II
- Enolase
- Pyruvate kinase L-type
Correct Answer: Hexokinase II
Q39. Which metabolite stimulates glycolysis by signaling a low-energy state (activates PFK-1)?
- ATP
- Citrate
- AMP
- Acetyl-CoA
Correct Answer: AMP
Q40. During intense exercise, increased glycolysis in muscle leads to accumulation of which metabolite causing muscle fatigue?
- Glucose-6-phosphate
- Lactate
- Acetyl-CoA
- Glycogen
Correct Answer: Lactate
Q41. Which glycolytic enzyme is regulated by covalent phosphorylation in some tissues?
- Hexokinase
- Pyruvate kinase
- Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
- Aldolase
Correct Answer: Pyruvate kinase
Q42. Which sugar enters glycolysis as dihydroxyacetone phosphate after phosphorylation in adipose tissue and liver?
- Galactose
- Fructose
- Mannose
- Ribose
Correct Answer: Fructose
Q43. Which enzyme converts fructose-6-phosphate to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate using ATP?
- Fructokinase
- Phosphofructokinase-1
- Phosphoglucose isomerase
- Hexokinase
Correct Answer: Phosphofructokinase-1
Q44. Which glycolytic intermediate is involved in serine biosynthesis pathway?
- 3-Phosphoglycerate
- Phosphoenolpyruvate
- Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate
- Pyruvate
Correct Answer: 3-Phosphoglycerate
Q45. Which of the following best describes the clinical significance of glycolysis for pharmacology students?
- Glycolysis is irrelevant to drug metabolism and disease
- Glycolytic enzymes can be drug targets and influence disease phenotypes
- Glycolysis only occurs in microbes and is not in humans
- Glycolysis solely produces glycogen
Correct Answer: Glycolytic enzymes can be drug targets and influence disease phenotypes
Q46. How many carbon atoms are present in pyruvate produced at the end of glycolysis?
- 2 carbons
- 3 carbons
- 4 carbons
- 6 carbons
Correct Answer: 3 carbons
Q47. Which enzyme converts glucose-1-phosphate to glucose-6-phosphate linking glycogenolysis to glycolysis?
- Phosphoglucomutase
- Glucokinase
- Glycogen phosphorylase
- Glycogen synthase
Correct Answer: Phosphoglucomutase
Q48. In the Cori cycle, lactate produced by muscle is transported to the liver and converted back to what by gluconeogenesis?
- Pyruvate only
- Glucose
- Glycogen directly without glucose
- Acetyl-CoA
Correct Answer: Glucose
Q49. Which glycolytic enzyme’s deficiency may present with exercise intolerance and myopathy due to impaired muscle glycolysis?
- Pyruvate kinase
- Phosphofructokinase (muscle isoform)
- Glucokinase
- Hexokinase IV
Correct Answer: Phosphofructokinase (muscle isoform)
Q50. Which statement best summarizes the significance of glycolysis for B. Pharm students?
- Glycolysis is only for energy in plants and irrelevant to human therapeutics
- Glycolysis provides ATP, precursors for biosynthesis, and targets for drug action and disease understanding
- Glycolysis produces oxygen and stores it in tissues
- Glycolysis always yields more ATP than oxidative phosphorylation
Correct Answer: Glycolysis provides ATP, precursors for biosynthesis, and targets for drug action and disease understanding
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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