Morphine-6-glucuronide (active) and morphine-3-glucuronide (inactive) are both metabolites of morphine found in humans. The accumulation of morphine-glucuronides can lead to kidney failure. The chemical connection between morphine and glucuronide belongs to which classes of compounds? I) glycoside
II) ester
III) ether
IV) acetal

Question

Morphine-6-glucuronide (active) and morphine-3-glucuronide (inactive) are both metabolites of morphine found in humans. The accumulation of morphine-glucuronides can lead to kidney failure. The chemical connection between morphine and glucuronide belongs to which classes of compounds?  I) glycoside
II) ester
III) ether
IV) acetal

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Morphine-glucuronides belong to the class of compounds called glucuronides, where a glucuronic acid molecule is conjugated (or linked) to the morphine molecule through an ether or ester linkage. This connection involves the transfer of a glucuronic acid molecule from uridine diphosphate glucuronic acid to the morphine molecule by the enzyme UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. Therefore, the chemical connection between morphine and glucuronide belongs to classes III (ether) and I (glycoside) and IV (acetal), as acetal formation can occur between the hydroxyl group on morphine and the carboxyl group on glucuronic acid.

Morphine-6-Glucuronide (Active) and Morphine-3-Glucuronide (Inactive) Are Both Metabolites of Morphine