Match the following amino acids with their respective derivatives:
Substance Derivative
A. Tyrosine 1. Thyroid hormone
B. Tryptophan 2. Melatonin
C. Glycine 3. Taurine
D. Cysteine 4. Creatine Options:
Appeared in: INI-CET EXAM -2025
Explanation
Tyrosine is iodinated to form thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are the primary thyroid hormones essential for regulating metabolism.
Tryptophan serves as the precursor for the synthesis of serotonin, which is then converted to melatonin in the pineal gland.
Glycine, along with arginine and methionine, participates in the biosynthesis of creatine, a crucial molecule for energy storage in muscles as creatine phosphate.
Cysteine is converted to taurine, which is important for conjugating bile acids to form salts like taurocholic acid, aiding in fat digestion.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
Option A: This option incorrectly pairs Glycine with Taurine (C-3) and Cysteine with Creatine (D-4). The correct pairings are Glycine with Creatine (C-4) and Cysteine with Taurine (D-3).
Option C: This option incorrectly pairs Tyrosine with Melatonin (A-2) and Tryptophan with Thyroid hormone (B-1). Tyrosine is the precursor for thyroid hormones, and Tryptophan is the precursor for melatonin.
Option D: This option contains multiple incorrect pairings. It incorrectly matches Tyrosine with Melatonin (A-2), Tryptophan with Thyroid hormone (B-1), Glycine with Taurine (C-3), and Cysteine with Creatine (D-4).
Related Visual
Visual 1: Diagram - A biochemical flowchart showing the pathway from Tyrosine to Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). This helps visualize the synthesis process.
Visual 2: Diagram - A pathway illustrating the conversion of Tryptophan to Serotonin and then to Melatonin. This clarifies the two-step process.
Visual 3: Diagram - A flowchart depicting the synthesis of Creatine, showing the involvement of Glycine, Arginine, and Methionine. This highlights the multi-amino acid contribution.
Visual 4: Diagram - The metabolic conversion of Cysteine to Taurine, emphasizing its role in forming bile salts.
Clinical Relevance
Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Metabolism of amino acids and their conversion to specialized products as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding these pathways is crucial for diagnosing and managing metabolic disorders. For example, a deficiency in thyroid hormone production from tyrosine leads to hypothyroidism, requiring hormone replacement therapy.
Melatonin, derived from tryptophan, is used clinically to treat sleep disorders like insomnia and jet lag. Its synthesis is linked to the body's light-dark cycle.
Creatine, synthesized from glycine, is a popular supplement for athletes to improve performance and muscle mass. Serum creatinine levels are a key indicator of renal function, as creatinine is the breakdown product of creatine.
How to Approach the Question
First, identify the core task of the question, which is to match each amino acid in Column A with its correct derivative in Column B.
Scan the pairs and try to identify one or two matches you are confident about. For example, the link between Tryptophan and Melatonin (for sleep) is a common piece of knowledge.
Use this known pair (B-2) to eliminate options that do not contain it. In this case, options C and D are eliminated, leaving A and B.
Next, try to recall another pair. The connection between Tyrosine and Thyroid hormone (A-1) is also fundamental. Both remaining options (A and B) have this pair.
The deciding factor is the pairing for Glycine and Cysteine. Recall that Glycine is a component of Creatine (C-4), and Cysteine is a precursor to Taurine (D-3).
Select the option that contains all the correct pairings: A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3.
Concept Tested & Keywords
Concept Tested: Metabolism of amino acids and their conversion to specialized products.