Anabolic Reactions

Question 1

What compounds do the citric acid cycle generate for biosynthesis purposes?

Answer 1

Ketoglutarate and oxaloacetate (OAA): precursors of several amino acids; OAA also converted to phosphoenolpyruvate, a precursor of glucose
Succinyl-CoA: required for synthesis of cytochromes, chlorophyll, and other tetrapyrrole compounds
Acetyl-CoA: necessary for fatty acid biosynthesis

Question 2

Describe the Glyoxylate cycle and it’s precursors

Answer 2

A variation of the citric acid cycle Glyoxylate is a key intermediate
Oxaloaceate: a precursor of several amino
acids; OAA also converted to phosphoenolpyruvate, a precursor of glucose
Succinate: a key precursor in biosynthesis
Acetyl-CoA: necessary for fatty acid biosynthesis

Question 3

Describe Gluconegenisis

Answer 3

Synthesis of glucose from phosphoenolpyruvate
Which can be synthesized from oxalacetate

Question 4

Describe the Pentose Phosphate Pathway

Answer 4

Pentose (makes sugars for DNA & RNA) for nucleic acids formed from decarboxylating glucose