energy production: carbs Flashcards
what is the general formula for carbohydrate?
(CH2O)n
what are the different type of carbohydrates?
- monosaccharide (1 sugar unit)
- disaccharide (2 sugar unit)
- oligosaccharide (3-12 sugar unit)
- polysaccharide (10-1000’s sugar unit)
what are the three main dietary monosaccharides?
- glucose
- fructose
- galactose
what does sucrose break down into?
glucose + fructose
what does lactose break down into?
galactose + glucose
what does maltose break down into?
2 glucose
what are the uses of glucose in the body?
- used in respiration by all cells however some have an absolute requirement to meet e.g. red blood cells, lens of the eye, neutrophils
- CNS prefers glucose as fuel (can use ketones in times of starvation but takes time to adapt)
what is the normal range of blood glucose concentration?
4-6 mmol/L
what is stage 1 in the catabolism of carbohydrates?
extracellular breakdown of carbohydrates in GI TRACT to produce building blocks
- amylase in saliva
- pancreatic amylase
- disaccharidases attached to membrane of epithelial cells
what is stage 2 in the catabolism of carbohydrates?
- glycolysis forms pyruvate
- reducing power (NADH) and some energy released
- (intracellular)
what is stage 3 in the catabolism of carbohydrates?
Kreb’s cycle:
- releasing of reducing power and some energy
- Acetyl coA oxidised to CO2
what is stage 4 in the catabolism of carbohydrates?
oxidative phosphorylation:
- conversion of reducing power into ATP
how are monosaccharides absorbed by tissues?
- active transport: from low to high conc into epithelial cells by sodium-dependent glucose transporter
- passive transport: high to low conc via GLUT2 and GLUT4
- transport via blood supply to tissues
- into target cells via facilitated diffusion using transport proteins
where are the transport proteins GLUT2 + GLUT4 functional?
GLUT2: kidney, liver, pancreatic beta cells
GLUT4: skeletal muscles, adipose tissues, striated muscles
where does glycolysis occur?
Cytosol
what happens in glycolysis?
- glucose (6C sugar) is oxidised to form 2 pyruvate (3C sugar) molecules
- 2 NADH are produced
- synthesis of ATP from ADP (net 2 ATP per glucose)
what is the rate limiting(control) enzyme in glycolysis?
phosphofructokinase-1
ADP molecule binds to the enzymes allosteric site increasing its activity
why are they so many steps/enzymes in glycolysis?
- efficient energy conversion
- allows for fine control
- chemistry easier in smaller stages
- gives versatility:
* allows interconnections with other pathways
* allows production of useful intermediates
* allows part to be used in reverse
what is the importance of lactate synthesis in glycolysis?
in certain conditions pyruvate is reduced to lactate by lactate dehydrogenase
this is important because it means NADH is recycled producing NAD+ which ensures glycolysis can continue
how is lactate subsequently used by the body?
- circulated in blood and taken up by the heart + liver
- lactate converted to pyruvate by LDH
- pyruvate is catabolised by the heart
what intermediate of glycolysis is important in regulating the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen?
2,3-biphosphoglycerate:
- one BPG binds per haemoglobin and decreases its affinity for oxygen
- so increased concentration = more readily oxygen dissociates
what is the TCA cycle also known as?
krebs cycle
where does the TCA cycle occur?
mitochondrial matrix