Question

In living organisms, related chemical reactions are often organized into metabolic pathways. Which of these is NOT usually a feature of a metabolic pathway?

a) A series of interconnected reactions.
b) Regulation by enzymes is the pathway.
c) A linear progression from substrates to products.
d) Feedback inhibition.

Answer 1

Option c) A linear progression from substrates to products is not typically a feature of a metabolic pathway; many are complex with potential branching, unlike the linear assumption.

Step-by-step explanation:

In living organisms, metabolic pathways consist of a series of interconnected reactions catalyzed by enzymes and are often regulated by feedback inhibition, making them highly efficient. However, option c) A linear progression from substrates to products is NOT usually a feature of a metabolic pathway. While some pathways may appear linear, many are complex and can branch into multiple directions, with the potential to form various intermediates and products.

Furthermore, feedback inhibition, a regulatory mechanism where the end product inhibits an upstream step, tends to be a common feature of these pathways.