NEET2026BiologyChapterActual
Statins are widely used as blood cholesterol-lowering agents. Which of the following correctly identifies the microbe responsible for their commercial production and their mechanism of action?
Options
- AProduced by the fungus Trichoderma polysporum ; acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for ch
- BProduced by the yeast Monascus purpureus ; acts by dissolving pre-formed clots in blood vessels.
- CProduced by the yeast Monascus purpureus ; acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for cholest
- DProduced by the bacterium Streptococcus ; acts by non-competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for chol
Correct answer
C. Produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus ; acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for cholest
Step-by-step solution
Statins are widely used as blood cholesterol-lowering agents. They are produced commercially by the yeast Monascus purpureus. Statins act by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol. Answer: Produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus ; acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for cholesterol synthesis.