Biochemistry Flashcards
Anabolism
Assimilation of molecules and complex structures from the building blocks of life
Requires energy
Anabolism
Assimilation of molecules and complex structures from the building blocks of life
Requires energy
Endergonic and reductive
Catabolism
Breakdown of molecules to obtain the anabolic building blocks of life and substrates for energy
Breakdown of molecules to yield energy
Exergonic and oxidative
Metabolism is about…
balance between anabolic and catabolic pathways
Glucose is the most important …
Carbohydrate
Glucose is our … energy source
primary
Some cell types require glucose as an energy source …
Erythrocytes
retina
renal medulla
brain
all cancer cells
Glucose has how many carbons
6
What is glucose used for?
Oxidation through aerobic glycolysis to produce pyruvate (efficient ATP production)
Fermentation by anaerobic glycolysis to produce lactate (rapid, inefficient ATP production)
Oxidation through the pentose phosphate pathway to produce ribose -5 - phosphate (precursor for nucleotide and DNA repair, essential for growth)
Storage (glycogen, starch, sucrose, conversion to lipids)
What is glycolysis
The initial pathway for the conversion of glucose to pyruvate
Glycolysis : per glucose, what is the net gain of ATP
2
How is glucose transported into cells
Via Na+ glucose symporters
Via passive facilitated diffusion glucose transporters
Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT 1)
Found in brain
Low Km
GLUT 2
Found in liver
High Km
Insulin independent
GLUT 3
Found in brain
Low Km
GLUT 4
Found in muscle and adipose tissue
Insulin - dependent
GLUT 5
Found in gut
Involved in fructose transport
What are the 3 stages of glycolysis
- Phosphorylation of glucose to give fructose-1,6-bisphosphate - requires phosphofructokinase
- Two interconvertible three carbon molecules are formed
- Generation of ATP through the oxidation of the 3C molecules
What are the 3 control points of glycolysis
Hexokinase (substrate entry)
Phosphofructokinase (rate of flow)
Pyruvate kinase (product exit)
When does anaerobic metabolism occur
lack of oxygen
Tell me about anaerobic metabolism
In the absence of oxygen, pyruvate can act as a hydrogen acceptor, taking hydrogen ions from NADH
Pyruvate is converted into lactate and NAD is regenerated
What is the warburg effect
Up-regulation of anaerobic glycolysis in cancer cells
Cancer cells have a low Km hexokinase
What are the advantages of warburg effect
Rapid energy production
Supports other pathways for nucleotide synthesis (needed for growth)
Supports rapid cell growth
What are the disadvantages of the Warburg effect
Produces H+ and lactate as end products
Very inefficient ATP synthesis
High glucose consumption demand
Cancer patients lose weight
Can cancer be treated by targeting glycolysis?
Yes!
patients given enzymes which act around control points
GET ANSWERS FOR STUDY QUESTIONS AND MAKE CARDS OUT OF THEM
What does glycolysis reduce NAD+ to
NADH and H+
Where does NADH deliver electrons to
the respiratory chain