Moalem's Survival Of The Sickest Practice Test

What is the role of the G6PD enzyme in red blood cells, and why deficiency provides malaria resistance?

G6PD catalyzes oxygen transport in RBCs. G6PD stores iron for RBCs. G6PD regulates RBC membrane stability. G6PD helps generate NADPH to protect RBCs from oxidative damage; deficiency increases oxidative stress in infected cells, hindering parasite growth.

Correct Answer:

G6PD helps generate NADPH to protect RBCs from oxidative damage; deficiency increases oxidative stress in infected cells, hindering parasite growth.

Explanation:

G6PD’s main job in red blood cells is to drive the pentose phosphate pathway, producing NADPH. That NADPH powers the cell’s antioxidant system, keeping glutathione in its reduced form and allowing red blood cells to detoxify reactive oxygen species. In malaria, the parasite lives inside these red blood cells, so the local oxidative environment matters for parasite survival. When G6PD is deficient, less NADPH means weaker antioxidant defenses and higher oxidative stress, which can hinder parasite growth or damage the infected cells, providing a protective effect against malaria. The other options don’t fit because G6PD is not responsible for oxygen transport, iron storage, or direct membrane stability.

Access more questions from this quiz

Continue to Moalem's Survival of the Sickest Practice Test for more practice questions and the full quiz experience.

Access More Questions