Biochemistry 101 PTC

Question 1

What are the 3 important dietary macronutrients used as substrate (‘building blocks’) to store body fat?

Answer 1

Carbohydrates, Protein, Fats

Question 2

What is the most basic form of carbohydrate?

Answer 2

Glucose

Question 3

What are all 3 macronutrients built from?

Answer 3

Carbon chains

Question 4

What is ATP (adenosine triphosphate)?

Answer 4

Energy production in the human body

Question 5

What does ATP do?

Answer 5

Transports chemical energy that is required for metabolic processes.

Question 6

What does “oxidize” carbon chains to gain energy mean?

Answer 6

“Oxidize” carbon chains means to “burn” carbon chains. We can gain energy from carbs, protein, and fat.

Question 7

What is acetyl-CoA?

Answer 7

The central metabolite for energy production (via oxidation to carbon dioxide, CO2). The body can obtain this from whichever macronutrient you eat.

Question 8

Name 3 pathways via which the body can produce ATP

Answer 8

1) The TCA cycle/mitochondrial respiration/aerobic system.
2) The ATP-CP system
3) Anaerobic glycolysis

Question 9

Aerobic vs anaerobic metabolism

Answer 9

Aerobic (oxygen containing) metabolism is energy production from acetyl-CoA, when all acetyl-CoA is completely oxidized (burned up) leaving only CO2 which is expelled through our lungs, and water, H2O.
Anaerobic metabolism is when the demand for rapid energy is high, pyruvate is converted to lactate. The conversion to lactate occurs mainly in times of strenuous exercise when the demand for oxygen by the working muscles exceeds what is available.

Question 10

Glycolysis

Question 11

Metabolites

Answer 11

The breakdown products of carbohydrates, protein, and fat.

Question 12

Oxidation

Answer 12

Is the burning of carbon chains to gain energy. (from carbs, protein, and fat)