BioChem metabolism

Answer 1

Catabolism – The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, often releasing energy:

1. Carbohydrate metabolism: Includes glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway, and the citric acid cycle.
2. Fat metabolism: Involves the breakdown of fatty acids (beta-oxidation), and ketogenesis.
3. Protein metabolism: The breakdown of proteins into amino acids, including deamination and the urea cycle.
4. Nucleic acid metabolism: The breakdown of purines and pyrimidines.

Anabolism – The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy:

1. Carbohydrate synthesis: Gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis.
2. Fat synthesis: Lipogenesis (fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis).
3. Protein synthesis: Translation of mRNA into proteins, involving ribosomes and tRNAs.
4. Nucleic acid synthesis: DNA and RNA synthesis (replication and transcription).

Energy Production and Transfer:

1. Glycolysis: Breakdown of glucose to produce ATP.
2. Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle): Central metabolic pathway for energy production.
3. Oxidative phosphorylation: Electron transport chain and ATP synthesis via chemiosmosis.
4. Fermentation: Anaerobic pathway for ATP production.

Redox Reactions – The transfer of electrons during chemical reactions, central to energy metabolism:

1. Electron transport chain: A series of enzymes in the mitochondrial membrane.
2. Antioxidant systems: Includes the action of enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase.

Intermediary Metabolism – Integration of various metabolic pathways:

1. Cross-talk between catabolic and anabolic pathways: Regulation and integration of pathways such as glycolysis and gluconeogenesis.
2. Hormonal regulation: Hormones like insulin, glucagon, and cortisol play key roles in metabolic control.

Metabolic Regulation – Mechanisms controlling the rate of metabolic reactions:

1. Allosteric regulation: Modulation of enzyme activity by binding of molecules at sites other than the active site.
2. Covalent modification: Enzyme activity can be regulated by phosphorylation, acetylation, etc.