NANP Board Practice Exam

What is the primary role of Coenzyme Q10 in the body?

1. Antioxidant defense

2. Cell signaling

3. Collagen synthesis

4. Energy production

The correct answer is: Energy production

Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, plays a critical role in energy production within the body. It is primarily involved in the electron transport chain, a key component of cellular respiration that occurs in the mitochondria. This process is essential for converting the energy stored in nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the primary energy currency of cells. By facilitating this conversion, Coenzyme Q10 supports various cellular functions and overall metabolic processes. The other options, while they may have some relevance to Coenzyme Q10, do not represent its primary function. For example, while Coenzyme Q10 does possess antioxidant properties, its main action lies in energy generation. Similarly, cell signaling and collagen synthesis are processes that are supported by various other nutrients and compounds, but they are not the key roles of Coenzyme Q10 in the body. Overall, its critical involvement in ATP production is what distinguishes its primary role from these other functions.