Mastering macronutrients is essential for B. Pharm students preparing for pharmacology, therapeutics, and clinical nutrition. This set of Macronutrients MCQs With Answer focuses on carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, covering digestion, metabolism, energy values, dietary requirements, absorption, lipid transport, essential amino acids, and clinical implications. Each question is designed to reinforce core concepts like glycolysis, beta-oxidation, nitrogen balance, and nutritional assessment, while improving exam readiness. Clear answers help link biochemical pathways to patient care and drug–nutrition interactions. Ideal for quick revision, coursework practice, and competitive exam prep. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which macronutrient provides the highest caloric value per gram?
- Carbohydrate
- Protein
- Fat
- Alcohol
Correct Answer: Fat
Q2. What is the primary site for protein digestion in the human body?
- Mouth
- Stomach
- Duodenum
- Colon
Correct Answer: Stomach
Q3. Which enzyme initiates carbohydrate digestion in the mouth?
- Pepsin
- Salivary amylase (ptyalin)
- Pancreatic lipase
- Trypsin
Correct Answer: Salivary amylase (ptyalin)
Q4. Which transporter is primarily responsible for glucose uptake in most insulin-responsive tissues?
- GLUT1
- GLUT2
- GLUT3
- GLUT4
Correct Answer: GLUT4
Q5. The end product of glycolysis under aerobic conditions that enters the citric acid cycle is:
- Lactate
- Pyruvate
- Acetyl-CoA
- Oxaloacetate
Correct Answer: Acetyl-CoA
Q6. Which amino acid is considered essential for adults?
- Alanine
- Glycine
- Leucine
- Proline
Correct Answer: Leucine
Q7. Beta-oxidation occurs in which cellular compartment?
- Cytosol
- Mitochondrial matrix
- Endoplasmic reticulum
- Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: Mitochondrial matrix
Q8. Which lipid class is the main structural component of cell membranes?
- Triglycerides
- Phospholipids
- Steroids
- Free fatty acids
Correct Answer: Phospholipids
Q9. Which vitamin is a cofactor for carboxylation reactions in fatty acid synthesis?
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- Biotin (vitamin B7)
- Niacin (vitamin B3)
- Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
Correct Answer: Biotin (vitamin B7)
Q10. The respiratory quotient (RQ) for pure carbohydrate oxidation is approximately:
- 0.7
- 0.85
- 1.0
- 1.3
Correct Answer: 1.0
Q11. Which lipoprotein is responsible for transporting dietary triglycerides from the intestine?
- HDL
- LDL
- VLDL
- Chylomicrons
Correct Answer: Chylomicrons
Q12. Nitrogen balance that indicates net protein catabolism is described as:
- Positive nitrogen balance
- Neutral nitrogen balance
- Negative nitrogen balance
- Zero nitrogen balance
Correct Answer: Negative nitrogen balance
Q13. Which hormone stimulates hepatic gluconeogenesis during fasting?
- Insulin
- Glucagon
- Growth hormone
- Aldosterone
Correct Answer: Glucagon
Q14. Essential fatty acids that must be obtained from diet include:
- Palmitic and stearic acids
- Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids
- Oleic and palmitoleic acids
- Arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids only
Correct Answer: Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids
Q15. The primary storage form of excess dietary carbohydrates in humans is:
- Glucose
- Glycogen
- Triglycerides
- Fructose
Correct Answer: Glycogen
Q16. Which amino acid is the main nitrogen donor for synthesis of other amino acids via transamination?
- Glutamate
- Lysine
- Tryptophan
- Cysteine
Correct Answer: Glutamate
Q17. Serum albumin concentration is commonly used clinically to assess:
- Energy intake
- Short-term changes in nutrition
- Long-term protein status and hepatic synthetic function
- Carbohydrate metabolism
Correct Answer: Long-term protein status and hepatic synthetic function
Q18. Which pathway generates NADPH required for fatty acid synthesis?
- Glycolysis
- Citric acid cycle
- Pentose phosphate pathway
- Beta-oxidation
Correct Answer: Pentose phosphate pathway
Q19. What is the ATP yield (approx.) from complete aerobic oxidation of one molecule of glucose?
- 2 ATP
- 12 ATP
- 30–32 ATP
- 100 ATP
Correct Answer: 30–32 ATP
Q20. Which enzyme activated by insulin promotes glycogen synthesis?
- Glycogen phosphorylase
- Glycogen synthase
- Fructokinase
- Phosphofructokinase-1
Correct Answer: Glycogen synthase
Q21. Kwashiorkor is primarily due to deficiency of which macronutrient?
- Carbohydrate
- Protein
- Fat
- Alcohol
Correct Answer: Protein
Q22. Which amino acid is a precursor for synthesis of nitric oxide?
- Arginine
- Histidine
- Phenylalanine
- Tyrosine
Correct Answer: Arginine
Q23. Which statement about dietary fiber is correct?
- It is fully digested and absorbed in the small intestine
- Soluble fiber is fermented by colonic bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids
- Fiber increases serum LDL cholesterol
- Fiber provides more calories than starch
Correct Answer: Soluble fiber is fermented by colonic bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids
Q24. Which enzyme cleaves triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids in the intestinal lumen?
- Pancreatic amylase
- Pancreatic lipase
- Enterokinase
- Lactase
Correct Answer: Pancreatic lipase
Q25. Which apolipoprotein is essential for chylomicron assembly and secretion?
- ApoA-I
- ApoB-48
- ApoC-II
- ApoE
Correct Answer: ApoB-48
Q26. Which process converts ammonia to urea in the liver?
- Gluconeogenesis
- Urea cycle (ornithine cycle)
- Transamination
- Beta-oxidation
Correct Answer: Urea cycle (ornithine cycle)
Q27. Which monosaccharide is fructose metabolized to primarily in the liver?
- Glucose-6-phosphate
- Fructose-1-phosphate
- Sucrose
- Galactose
Correct Answer: Fructose-1-phosphate
Q28. In essential amino acid scoring, limiting amino acid refers to:
- The amino acid present in highest amount
- The amino acid present in smallest proportion relative to requirement
- The amino acid causing toxicity
- An amino acid that is non-essential
Correct Answer: The amino acid present in smallest proportion relative to requirement
Q29. Which condition increases basal metabolic rate (BMR)?
- Hypothyroidism
- Starvation
- Fever
- Ageing
Correct Answer: Fever
Q30. Which assay is commonly used to estimate recent protein-energy malnutrition via short-half-life visceral protein?
- Serum albumin
- Prealbumin (transthyretin)
- Hemoglobin
- Serum creatinine
Correct Answer: Prealbumin (transthyretin)
Q31. Which fatty acid configuration increases membrane fluidity?
- Saturated fatty acids
- Trans-unsaturated fatty acids
- Cis-unsaturated fatty acids
- Long-chain saturated fatty acids
Correct Answer: Cis-unsaturated fatty acids
Q32. During prolonged fasting, the brain adapts to use which fuel besides glucose?
- Free fatty acids
- Ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyrate)
- Lactate only
- Amino acids exclusively
Correct Answer: Ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyrate)
Q33. Which amino acid is glucogenic and ketogenic?
- Leucine
- Lysine
- Isoleucine
- Alanine
Correct Answer: Isoleucine
Q34. Which enzyme converts dietary starch into maltose and dextrins in the small intestine?
- Sucrase
- Lactase
- Pancreatic amylase
- Peptidase
Correct Answer: Pancreatic amylase
Q35. High-protein diets increase urinary excretion of which metabolite?
- Glucose
- Urea
- Lipids
- Ketone bodies only
Correct Answer: Urea
Q36. Which compound is the carrier molecule that transports fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation?
- Carnitine
- Coenzyme A (CoA)
- Albumin
- Chylomicron
Correct Answer: Carnitine
Q37. The RDA concept for macronutrients refers to:
- Recommended Daily Allowance for all nutrients for individuals
- Average nutrient intake sufficient for nearly all healthy people
- Minimum intake to prevent scurvy
- Maximum tolerable intake
Correct Answer: Average nutrient intake sufficient for nearly all healthy people
Q38. Which organ is the central hub for nutrient metabolism and interconversion?
- Kidney
- Heart
- Liver
- Pancreas
Correct Answer: Liver
Q39. Fructose intolerance due to aldolase B deficiency leads to accumulation of:
- Fructose-6-phosphate
- Fructose-1-phosphate
- Glucose-1-phosphate
- Sorbitol
Correct Answer: Fructose-1-phosphate
Q40. Which dietary pattern is associated with increased HDL cholesterol?
- High trans-fat diet
- Mediterranean diet rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats
- High refined carbohydrate diet
- Excessive saturated fat intake only
Correct Answer: Mediterranean diet rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats
Q41. Which aminotransferase is primarily involved in hepatic alanine-glucose cycle?
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
- Glutamate dehydrogenase
- Phenylalanine hydroxylase
Correct Answer: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Q42. In parenteral nutrition, which macronutrient is usually provided as lipid emulsions to prevent essential fatty acid deficiency?
- Carbohydrate
- Protein
- Lipids (intravenous fat emulsions)
- Alcohol
Correct Answer: Lipids (intravenous fat emulsions)
Q43. Which fatty acid is precursor for eicosanoids like prostaglandins and leukotrienes?
- Linoleic acid (arachidonic acid precursor)
- Palmitic acid
- Stearic acid
- Oleic acid
Correct Answer: Linoleic acid (arachidonic acid precursor)
Q44. Which test is most specific for detecting malabsorption of fat?
- 72-hour fecal fat estimation
- Serum glucose
- Serum albumin
- Urine ketones
Correct Answer: 72-hour fecal fat estimation
Q45. Which amino acid catabolism product enters the TCA cycle as fumarate?
- Phenylalanine/tyrosine (via fumarate)
- Lysine
- Leucine
- Valine only
Correct Answer: Phenylalanine/tyrosine (via fumarate)
Q46. Which dietary factor impairs iron absorption and can influence macronutrient utilization?
- Vitamin C
- Phytates and polyphenols
- Protein-rich meals
- Dietary fat
Correct Answer: Phytates and polyphenols
Q47. Which coenzyme derived from niacin is essential for redox reactions in carbohydrate and fat metabolism?
- FAD (from riboflavin)
- NAD+ (from niacin)
- CoA (from pantothenic acid)
- Biotin
Correct Answer: NAD+ (from niacin)
Q48. Glycogen phosphorylase deficiency in muscle causes which clinical feature?
- Hyperglycemia
- Exercise intolerance and muscle cramps
- Severe weight loss
- Jaundice
Correct Answer: Exercise intolerance and muscle cramps
Q49. Which macronutrient directly influences gastric emptying speed the most?
- Carbohydrates (rapidly digested)
- Proteins (moderate effect)
- Fats (slow gastric emptying)
- Vitamins
Correct Answer: Fats (slow gastric emptying)
Q50. Which laboratory marker increases in prolonged negative nitrogen balance and severe muscle wasting?
- Serum albumin (elevated)
- Urinary 3-methylhistidine
- Serum glucose
- Serum triglycerides
Correct Answer: Urinary 3-methylhistidine
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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