MCQs – Antioxidant

1. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) include which of the following?

A) Superoxide anion (O2-)
B) Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
C) Hydroxyl radical (OH•)
D) Carbon dioxide (CO2)

2. How does oxidative phosphorylation contribute to ROS

production?
A) It increases energy efficiency in mitochondria
B) It leaks electrons that reduce oxygen to form ROS
C) It suppresses all free radical formation
D) It acts as a protective mechanism against oxidative stress

3. What are the main endogenous antioxidant enzymes involved in

neutralising ROS?
A) Superoxide dismutase (SOD)
B) Catalase
C) Amylase
D) Glutathione peroxidase

4. Which vitamins act as exogenous antioxidants crucial for

human health?
A) Vitamin E
B) Vitamin C
C) Vitamin K
D) Vitamin A

5. In the context of lipid peroxidation, what role do

polyunsaturated fats play?
A) They are more stable and resistant to oxidation
B) They are highly susceptible to oxidative damage due to double
bonds
C) They generate toxic compounds when oxidized
D) They act as primary antioxidants in the cell membrane

6. Which of the following statements about Vitamin E (α-tocopherol)

are correct?
A) It is a major lipid-soluble antioxidant
B) It directly regenerates Vitamin C
C) It prevents oxidation of membrane lipids
D) It has a pro-oxidant effect in low concentrations
7. What are the mechanisms through which antioxidants protect
against oxidative stress?
A) Donating an electron to free radicals
B) Increasing free radical formation
C) Inhibiting lipid peroxidation
D) Catalysing the breakdown of toxic peroxides

8. Why is oxygen referred to as a “biradical” in biological systems?

A) It contains two unpaired electrons in different orbitals
B) It has a high energy efficiency in cellular respiration
C) It is stable and non-reactive in physiological conditions
D) It readily forms reactive oxygen species

9. Which metal cofactors are necessary for the function of

antioxidant enzymes?
A) Zinc for superoxide dismutase
B) Copper for catalase
C) Selenium for glutathione peroxidase
D) Magnesium for lipid peroxidation

10. What is the role of Vitamin C in the antioxidant defence system?

A) It acts as a lipid-soluble antioxidant
B) It scavenges reactive oxygen species directly
C) It regenerates Vitamin E
D) It binds to metal ions to prevent free radical formation

11. Which of the following are commonly known synthetic

antioxidants used in food preservation?
A) Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
B) Ascorbic acid
C) Propyl gallate (PG)
D) Butylhydroxytoluene (BHT)

12. How does the Fenton reaction contribute to oxidative stress?

A) It neutralises hydroxyl radicals
B) It catalyses the conversion of hydrogen peroxide to hydroxyl
radicals
C) It occurs primarily in the absence of metal ions
D) It requires iron as a catalyst

13. Which dietary strategies are most effective for maximising

antioxidant absorption and utilisation?
 A) Consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
B) Relying solely on high-dose antioxidant supplements
C) Combining antioxidants with foods containing complementary
cofactors
D) Eating processed and high-sugar foods

14. What are the characteristics of oxidative stress in aging?

A) Increased ROS production
B) Enhanced mitochondrial efficiency
C) Decreased antioxidant defence mechanisms
D) Reduced DNA damage

15. What are potential negative consequences of high-dose antioxidant

supplementation?
A) Increased risk of pro-oxidant effects
B) Enhanced cancer prevention
C) Reduced oxidative stress uniformly across all tissues
D) Potential for increased mortality in some cases

16. Which antioxidants are known to protect the brain from

neurodegenerative diseases?
A) Resveratrol
B) Beta-carotene
C) Alpha-lipoic acid
D) Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

17. Which of the following statements about oxidative stress and

DNA damage are true?
A) Oxidative stress increases DNA single and double-strand breaks
B) DNA repair mechanisms are more effective with age
C) Mitochondrial DNA is more vulnerable to oxidative damage than
nuclear DNA
D) DNA damage has no impact on gene expression

18. How do carotenoids function as antioxidants in the human body?

A) They directly scavenge hydroxyl radicals
B) They quench singlet oxygen
C) They are precursors for Vitamin D synthesis
D) They protect against lipid peroxidation

19. Which diseases are most commonly associated with ROS-mediated

damage?
A) Cardiovascular diseases
 B) Diabetes mellitus
C) Common cold
D) Neurodegenerative diseases

20. Which antioxidant is known to regenerate other antioxidants,

such as Vitamin E?
A) Vitamin K
B) Vitamin C
C) Beta-carotene
D) Selenium

21. What are the implications of mitochondrial dysfunction in the

context of aging and oxidative stress?
A) Enhanced ATP production
B) Increased ROS generation
C) Greater mitochondrial DNA damage
D) Improved mitochondrial repair mechanisms

22. Which of the following statements best explains why mitochondria

are considered a primary site for ROS production?
A) They have a high surface area for oxidation reactions.
B) The electron transport chain frequently leaks electrons that react
with oxygen.
C) They synthesise all the body’s antioxidants.
D) The inner mitochondrial membrane actively suppresses all ROS.

23. What is the primary role of the enzyme superoxide dismutase

(SOD) in oxidative stress defence?
A) Converts hydrogen peroxide to water
B) Scavenges lipid peroxides
C) Catalyses the conversion of superoxide anion to hydrogen
peroxide and oxygen
D) Binds to DNA to prevent oxidative damage

24. How does the Fenton reaction exacerbate oxidative stress in

biological systems?
A) It generates hydroxyl radicals from hydrogen peroxide in the
presence of transition metals.
B) It breaks down oxygen into reactive nitrogen species.
C) It neutralises free radicals in the mitochondria.
D) It stabilises lipid membranes.
25. Which of the following antioxidant mechanisms is specific to
catalase?
A) Reduction of lipid hydroperoxides
B) Conversion of superoxide anion to hydrogen peroxide
C) Breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen
D) Chelation of metal ions

26. Which characteristic of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) increases its

susceptibility to oxidative damage compared to nuclear DNA?
A) It is highly methylated.
B) It is associated with protective histones.
C) It is located close to the electron transport chain.
D) It has a high repair rate.

27. How do polyphenols exert their antioxidant effects in cells?

A) By donating electrons to stabilise free radicals
B) By chelating metal ions and preventing metal-catalysed oxidation
C) By upregulating pro-oxidant enzymes
D) By generating reactive oxygen species

28. What is the function of glutathione peroxidase in antioxidant

defence?
A) Scavenging superoxide anion
B) Reducing hydrogen peroxide to water using glutathione
C) Converting lipid peroxides into non-reactive alcohols
D) Neutralizing hydroxyl radicals directly

29. Which scenario would most likely lead to an increase in oxidative

stress?
A) Overexpression of antioxidant enzymes
B) Excessive caloric intake leading to mitochondrial overload
C) Balanced intake of vitamins and minerals
D) Increased mitophagy in aging tissues

30. Why is the pro-oxidant effect of high-dose antioxidant

supplementation concerning in clinical practice?
A) It enhances lipid peroxidation at high concentrations.
B) It may interfere with cell signalling pathways involving ROS.
C) It inhibits mitochondrial ATP production.
D) It accelerates DNA repair mechanisms indiscriminately.

31. Which of the following represents a limitation of antioxidant

supplementation studies in preventing chronic diseases?
 A) Antioxidants may not reach target tissues effectively.
B) ROS have beneficial roles in cell signalling and immune response.
C) Supplementation consistently improves disease outcomes.
D) Antioxidants always act synergistically.

32. How does oxidative stress contribute to the pathology of

Alzheimer’s disease?
A) By promoting the aggregation of amyloid beta through metal
interactions
B) By reducing mitochondrial respiration efficiency
C) By enhancing the expression of neuroprotective genes
D) By decreasing levels of reactive oxygen species

33. Which antioxidants are lipid-soluble and protect cellular

membranes from oxidative damage?
A) Vitamin E
B) Vitamin C
C) Ubiquinone (CoQ10)
D) Beta-carotene

34. How does the transcription factor Nrf2 regulate the antioxidant
response in cells?
A) It activates genes coding for antioxidant enzymes.
B) It suppresses the production of all ROS.
C) It increases the synthesis of glutathione.
D) It enhances mitochondrial DNA replication.

35. Which of the following describes the mechanism by which caloric

restriction reduces oxidative stress?
A) By directly neutralising free radicals
B) By enhancing mitochondrial efficiency and reducing ROS
production
C) By increasing lipid oxidation
D) By inducing a hormetic response

36. Why is Vitamin C unable to protect lipid membranes from

peroxidation?
A) It is a lipid-soluble antioxidant
B) It primarily acts in the aqueous environment of cells
C) It catalyses peroxidation reactions
D) It is not involved in regenerating other antioxidants
37. Which of the following statements about oxidative stress and
cancer is correct?
A) ROS are exclusively harmful and always promote tumour growth.
B) Oxidative damage to DNA can lead to mutations and cancer.
C) High ROS levels can induce apoptosis in cancer cells.
D) Antioxidant therapy is universally effective in preventing cancer.

38. What role does selenium play in antioxidant defence?

A) It acts as a cofactor for glutathione peroxidase.
B) It neutralizes superoxide anions.
C) It forms part of selenoproteins involved in redox reactions.
D) It directly scavenges hydroxyl radicals.

39. How does the presence of double bonds in unsaturated fats

influence their susceptibility to oxidation?
A) Double bonds make the fats more reactive to ROS.
B) They stabilize the fat molecules against oxidation.
C) They increase the generation of lipid peroxides.
D) They decrease membrane fluidity.

40. Which of the following antioxidants can cross the blood-brain barrier
to exert neuroprotective effects?
A) Vitamin C
B) Glutathione
C) Curcumin
D) Alpha-lipoic acid

41. What impact does oxidative stress have on mitochondrial DNA

(mtDNA) integrity?
A) It leads to a high mutation rate due to the lack of protective
histones.
B) It stabilises mitochondrial DNA against environmental insults.
C) It enhances the replication fidelity of mtDNA.
D) It induces structural alterations and mutations.

42. Why is the antioxidant role of flavonoids considered beneficial

beyond free radical scavenging?
A) They modulate enzyme activity.
B) They inhibit pro-inflammatory pathways.
C) They enhance oxidative phosphorylation.
D) They increase ROS production.
43. What is the significance of redox balance in cellular
homeostasis?
A) It prevents excessive oxidative damage.
B) It ensures constant ROS levels.
C) It is crucial for signalling pathways that regulate cellular
adaptation.
D) It inhibits all forms of oxidation.

44. How does resveratrol influence cellular mechanisms to mitigate

oxidative damage?
A) By activating SIRT1 and enhancing mitochondrial function
B) By acting as a lipid-soluble antioxidant
C) By promoting ROS formation
D) By downregulating pro-apoptotic factors

45. Which antioxidant systems are most active in neutralising lipid

peroxides?
A) Catalase
B) Glutathione peroxidase
C) Vitamin E
D) Superoxide dismutase

46. What are the consequences of oxidative stress on protein function

in aging cells?
A) Enhanced enzymatic activity
B) Protein carbonylation leading to dysfunction
C) Increased protein folding efficiency
D) Accumulation of misfolded proteins