Metabolism

Question 1

Describe the metabolism of Carbohydrates

Answer 1

Catabolic (as starches are broken down into monosaccharides to release energy) via digestive enzymes such as amylase, monosaccharide further broken down via glycolysis process of glucose breaking down into ATP and pyruvate.

Question 2

Describe the metabolism of Proteins

Answer 2

Broken down into amino acids via enzymes (pepsin/trypsin). Non essential amino acids can be synthesised but essential ones must be eaten via diet. Body needs specific amount of nitrogen for amino acids, a negative nitrogen balance body doesn’t have enough positive too many some are broken down. Protein catabolism used for growth and repair of tissues/cells, make new proteins or providing energy.

Question 3

Process of protein catabolism

Answer 3

Removal of the amine group from amino acid in process now as deamination done in the liver the amine group is removed by products are CO2 and ammonia which goes into the ornithine cycle so ammonia is broken down into urea and excreted by kidneys into urine.

Question 4

Describe the metabolism of fats

Answer 4

Two types triglycerides and cholesterol, cholesterol needed to make steroid hormones in body. Good known as high density lvl protects cardiovascular health, bad low density levels associated with poor cardiovascular health eg clogged arteries. Broken down via hydrolysis triglycerides turn to glycerol and fatty acids as they have ester bonds. Glycerol turned into energy via glycolysis process.

Question 5

What is the role of pancreas on glucose levels?

Answer 5

Liver and muscle cells detect change in glucose levels, if they’re high beta cells in pancreas are stimulated causing release of insulin which turns glucose into glycogen (glycogenesis) if levels are low alpha cells stimulated releasing glucagon glycogen goes to glucose (glycogen o lysis).

Gluconeogenesis - process of making glucose from glycerol, lactate, pyruvate.