Metabolism Flashcards
Define: Anabolism
This process uses energy, reducing power and raw materials to build up molecules for growth and maintenance.
Name the 3 components of total energy expenditure.
- Basal metabolic rate
- Diet induced thermogenesis
- Physical activity level
Why is FAT an essential component of the diet?
- Needed to absorb fat soluble vitamins
- Can be used as an alternative energy source.
- Source of fatty acids
Why are CARBOHYDRATES an essential component of the diet?
- Major energy source for the body.
Why are PROTEINS an essential part of the diet?
- Provide amino acids for use in proteinsynthesis.
2. Maintain nitrogen balance
Why are VITAMINS an essential part of the diet?
- Prevents vitamin deficiencies.
Why are IONS an essential part of the diet?
- Act as cofactors for enzymes.
2. Can setup ion concentration gradients.
What is Marasmus? Symptoms? Cause?
A disease caused by starvation; the individual will have muscle wastage and a very starved look. Caused by a lack of protein and other food components in the diet. NO OEDEMA.
What is Kwashiokor? Symptoms? Cause?
This is a disease caused by a low protein, high carbohydrate diet. Normally found in young children taken off breast milk diets and fed with cassava. Symptoms include lethargy and a large oedema on the stomach. Due to high carbohydrate intake, fats build up in the liver; as there are reduced amounts of proteins to transport this fat from the liver, the patient gets a fatty liver. Hepatomegaly = swelling of liver
Also, due to reduced protein levels, the serum albumin level is low and therefore the oncotic pressure in the blood is reduced - this increases tissue fluid flow into the tissues, causing an oedema.
BMI Equation?
BMI = (Weight) / (Height)^2
How would you classify an individual with a BMI score of:
Underweight
How would you classify an individual with a BMI score of:
18 - 24.9
Normal/Ideal weight
How would you classify an individual with a BMI score of:
25 - 29.9
Overweight
How would you classify an individual with a BMI score of:
30-34.9
Obese
How would you classify an individual with a BMI score of:
> 35
Severely obese.
What is the problem with BMI calculations?
Doesn’t consider the individual’s build - they be very muscly. Muscle is heavier than fat.
What is an alternative method to the BMI calculation.
Hip to waist ratio.
Which is better as a body shape, apple or pear?
Pear is said to be a better body shape.
Define: Homeostasis
The maintenance of a constant internal environment.
What does the hypothalamus control?
Controls endocrine systems.
What does the medulla oblongata control?
Regulates systems such as the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Name the essential amino acids.
If - Isoleucine Learnt - Lysine This - Threonine Huge - Histidine List - Leucine May - Methionine Prove - Phenylalanine Truly - Tryptophan Valuable - Valine
Define: Catabolism
This is the breaking down of molecules to release energy and reducing power.
Define: Cell metabolism
The highly integrated network of chemical reactions which occur in cells.
What does cell metabolism produce?
- Energy for cell function
- Building block molecules
- Reducing power
- Organic precursor molecules (eg. Acetyl coA)
Where do cell nutrients in the blood come from?
- Diet
- Synthesis in the body
- Released from storage
Where do cell nutrients end up?
- Degradation to release energy
- Synthesis
- Storage
- Inter-conversion into other nutrients
- Excretion
Why do cells need a continuous supply of energy?
So that the cell is able to perform it’s functions.
Define: Exergonic reactions
Energy releasing reactions.
What is the creatine phosphate reaction that can occur in muscles? When does it occur?
Creatine + ATP –> Creatine phosphate + ADP
Catalyst = Creatine kinase
Occurs when muscle cells require immediate high energy amount.
Equation of reduction of NAD+?
NAD+ + 2H+ + 2e- —-> NADH + H+
Is ATP a high or low energy signal?
High energy signal.
Is ADP/AMP a high or low energy signal?
Low energy signal.
Which readily crosses cell membranes?
Hydrophillic or hydrophobic molecules
Hydrophobic.
Which monomers make up sucrose?
Glucose + Fructose
Which monomers make up Lactose?
Glucose + Galactose
Which monomers make up maltose?
Glucose + Glucose
Define: Polysaccharides
Structures made by multiple monosaccharides joined together by glycosidic bonds.
Describe the structure of glycogen.
A highly branched polymer of glucose. Includes alpha 1,4-glycosidic bonds which join monomers and alpha 1,6-glycosidic bonds which cause branching.
Describe the structure of cellulose. Why can’t human digest cellulose?
A polymer of glucose monomers joined by Beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds.
Humans can’t digest this bond so we don’t digest cellulose.
Name three tissues/cells which are glucose dependent.
- Erythrocytes
- Lens of the eye
- Kidney Medulla
What energy source does the CNS have preference towards?
Glucose as an energy source.
Name three enzymes which catalyse irreversible steps in glycolysis.
- Hexokinase
- Phosphofructokinase-1
- Pyruvate kinase
Is CO2 produced in glycolysis?
No
What does glucose get made into by glycolysis? What type of reaction is it?
Glucose —> Pyruvate by oxidation reactions.
What happens in anaerobic glycolysis? Why is it important? What can happen to the lactate?
Glucose —> Pyruvate —> Lactate
The enzyme Lactate dehydrogenase performs the pyruvate to lactate.
Oxidises NADH to produce NAD+ which is required for glycolysis to continue. The lactate is dissolved into the blood and either becomes CO2 in the heart or glucose in the liver. The lactate can also be converted by into pyruvate (reversible reaction - using the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase).
Which enzyme is missing/defective in lactose intolerant people?
Lactase
Which enzymes may be defective/missing in those with galactosaemia.
- Galactokinase
2. Galactose-1-phosphate Uridyl Transferase
What happens to galactose which accumulates in tissues?
Galactose is reduced to Galactitol by the enzyme Aldo Reductase. This reduction requires the use of NADPH;as NADPH depletes, disulphide bonds are able to form - this can cause cataracts in the lens of the eye.
What’s the importance of the Pentose Phosphate pathway and what enzyme catalyses it?
Glucose-6-phosphate + NADP+
–> Pentose sugar phosphate + NADPH + CO2
Catalysed by: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
Importance: Creates NADPH which is used to prevent disulphide bonds from forming (prevents Heinz bodies + cataracts). Also, produces pentose sugars which are used for nucleotides.
How are Heinz Bodies formed?
Due to a lack of NADPH in the body (eg. due to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency), disulphide bonds form between red blood cells and other proteins, this forms Heinz bodies which are insoluble. Leads to haemolysis.
How is pyruvate prepared to enter TCA cycle?
Pyruvate cannot enter the TCA cycle, it must be converted into acetyl coA. This is done in the Link’s reaction using the enzyme Pyruvate dehydrogenase. This is an irreversible reaction.
What happens in the TCA cycle. How is it regulated?
Acetyl coA enters the cycle and undergos multiple reactions producing: 3 NADH, 2 CO2, 1 GTP, 1 FADH2.
Regulated by Isocitrate dehydrogenase which responds to high and low energy signals.
Where does the electron transport chain occur?
Inside mitochondria + mitochondria inter-membrane space.
What forced H+ through ATP synthase?
Proton Motive Force
In the ETC, what is the role of oxygen?
Terminal electron acceptor
How are the ETC and ATP synthase tightly coupled?
Only way for H+ to return back into the mitochondria is by ATP synthase.
Why/How does the ETC and ATP synthase become uncoupled?
Uncoupling proteins cause the membrane of the mitochondria to become more permeable meaning that H+ ions can move back into the mitochondria rather than through ATP synthase. Energy is released as heat energy instead, this is deliberately done in brown adipose tissue as non-shivering thermogenesis.
Alternatively, toxins such as Dinitrophenol and Dinitrocresol increase the permeability of the mitochondrial membrane so H+ ions can return into the matrix without passing through ATP synthase.
Give 4 comparisons of Oxidative and Substrate level phosphorylation.
- Oxidative phosphorylation requires membrane association whereas substrate level does not.
- Oxidative phosphorylation uses indirect energy coupling (PMF) whereas substrate level phosphorylation uses direct energy coupling.
- Oxidative phosphorylation cannot occur in the absence of oxygen whereas substrate level phosphorylation can, to an extent.
- Oxidative phosphorylation produces a lot of ATP whereas substrate level phosphorylation produces a little.
Name the three classes of lipids.
- Fatty acid derivatives
- Hydroxy-methyl-glutaric (HMG) acid derivatives
- Fat soluble vitamins
Name the three Ketone bodies made in the body.
- Acetoacetate
- Acetone
- Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
Give the name for:
- Ketones lost in urine
- Ketones being acidic in plasma
Urine: Ketonuria
Acid: Ketoacidosis
AcetylCoA can become either Ketone bodies or cholesterol. Name the enzymes involved and say what regulates which product is made.
Ketone bodies - Enzyme = HMGcoA lyase
Cholesterol - Enzyme = HMGcoA reductase
The Insulin/Glucagon ratio regulates which enzyme is inhibited.
High insulin/glucagon ratio = Cholesterol
Low insulin/glucagon ratio = Ketone bodies
Acetyl CoA is the hub of several reactions - name 3 products it could become.
- Fatty acids (eg. goes to triacylglycerol)
- CO2 (kreb’s cycle)
- HMG acids (eg. goes to ketone bodies)
Define: Glycogenesis
Glycogen synthesis
Define: Glycogenolysis
Breakdown of Glycogen
Give the equations + enzymes for glycogenesis
- Glucose + ATP –>Glucose-6-phosphate + ADP (Hexokinase)
- Glucose-6-phosphate
- ->Glucose-1-phosphate (Phosphoglucomutase)
- Glucose-1-phosphate + UDP + H2O –> UDP Glucose + 2Pi
- (Glycogen)n + UDP Glucose –> (Glycogen)n+1 + UDP
(Glycogen synthase + Branching enzyme)
Give the equations + enzymes for glycogenolysis.
- Glycogen + Pi –> Glucose-1-phosphate
(Glycogen phosphorylase + debranching enzyme) - Glucose-1-phosphate
- -> Glucose-6-phosphate (Phosphoglucomutase)
- Muscles use Glucose-6-phosphate in glycolysis.
However, in the liver:
Glucose-6-phosphate + H2O –> Glucose + Pi
(Glucose-6-phosphatase)
Compare liver and muscle glycogen.
Liver: For all tissues in the body (makes into glucose)
Muscle: Only to be used by muscle (makes into glucose-6-phosphate)
Define: Gluconeogenesis
The production of glucose from non-carbohydrates
Name 4 substrates for gluconeogenesis
- Lactate
- Amino acids (glucogenic)
- Glycerol
- Pyruvate
When does gluconeogenesis occur?
When glycogen stores are depleted.
What are the two key enzymes in gluconeogenesis?
How are they regulated?
- PEPCK
- Fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase.
Both are activated by glucagon and both inhibited by Insulin.
What is the name for the formation of triacylglycerols from glycerol + fatty acids?
Esterification
What is the name for the breakdown of triacylglycerols into glycerol + fatty acids?
Lipolysis.
What is the enzyme which converts Acetyl coA into Malonyl coA in liver lipogenesis?
Acetyl coA carboxylase
What complex does malonyl coA enter to produce fatty acids?
Fatty acid synthase complex.
What type of lipoprotein transports glycerol from the small intestine to tissues and the liver? What vessels does it travel in?
Chylomicrons. From the small intestine, these travel in the lymphatic system up to the left subclavian vein where the chylomicron then travels in the bloodstream.
What is the name for fatty acid degradation and how does it occur?
Beta Oxidation. Occurs in the mitochondria - through a series of reactions, 2 carbon molecules are removed and this cycles until the fatty acid is entirely broken up. The 2 carbon molecules become acetyl coA which can be used in a variety of ways.
How do fatty acids enter the mitochondria?
Fatty acids must first be activated by Acetyl CoA which forms Fatty acyl coA.
Activated fatty acids can’t cross mitochondrial membrane so carnitine shuttle transport must occur. Here, Fatty acyl coA joins with carnitine to form acyl carnitine. This passes through the membrane where the acyl group then leaves carnitine.
Name of fatty acid synthesis? How does it occur?
Lipogenesis.
Acetyl coA becomes malonyl coA due to the enzyme acetyl coA carboxylase. Malonyl coA then enters the fatty acid synthase complex where it produces a fatty acid.
Comparison of Fatty acid synthesis and Fatty acid oxidation.
- FAS adds 2C whilst FAO removes 2C.
- FAS adds Acetyl coA whilst FAO removes Acetyl coA
- FAS in cytoplasm whilst FAO in mitochondria
- FAS requires a lot of ATP whilst FAO requires only a little.
- FAS - Insulin activate whilst in, FAO inhibited.
First step of catabolism is to remove amino group. Which two ways can this happen? Describe.
- Transamination - the amino group is transferred from an amino acid to a keto acid. This uses aminotransferase enzymes. Alanine amino transferase produces Glutamate whilst Aspartate amino transferase produces Aspartate. Both Glutamate and Aspartate are then involved in producing Urea in the urea cycle.
- Deamination - The amino group is removed from an amino acid to produce a free ammonia. This is highly toxic and has to be transported to the kidney for removal as urea.
Name an example for each amino acid:
- Glucogenic
- Ketogenic
- Both
Glucogenic = Alanine Ketogenic = Lysine Both = Threonine
What is Phenylketonuria?
When a person cannot convert Phenylalanine into Tyrosine due to a defect in the Phenylalanine hydroxylase enzyme. This causes a build up in Phenylalanine which becomes Phenylketones - these are excreted in the urine. This autosomal recessive condition can lead to brain damage.
What is Homocystinuria?
This is a condition where homocysteine cannot be converted into cystathionine due to a defect in the Cystathionine-Beta-synthase enzyme. The homocysteine converts back into methionine and can become oxidised into homocystine which can be lost in the urine. Autosomal recessive disease which can lead to delayed development and faults in the fibrillin-1 protein.
What is the importance of measuring Creatinine in the blood and urine?
Creatinine is the product of the breakdown of Creatine phosphate; the amount of Creatinine is proportional to the amount of muscle in an individual. If there are high levels of creatinine in the blood but low levels in the urine, we can also know learn there may be kidney failure.
How can ammonia be transported in the blood?
- NH3 + Glutamate form Glutamine which travels in the blood to the kidney where it enters the urea cycle.
- Pyruvate + NH3 becomes Alanine by transamination. Travels to liver where transamination occurs again to produce pyruvate and NH3. NH3 then binds with Glutamate to move to the kidney for the urea cycle.
Symptoms of inherited diseases of urea cycle? Eg. Hyperammonaemia. Why is it normally only a defect rather than a complete failure? Treatment?
-Mental retardation, seizures, coma
If it were a complete failure, urea cycle could not occur and this would not be compatible with life.
Treat with low protein diet.
Treatment of Phenylketonuria and Homocystinuria?
Low protein diets.
What is the function of Chylomicrons?
Transport fats from the small intestine to the tissues and liver.
What is the function of VLDLs?
Transport the fats from the liver to other tissues.
What is the function of IDLs?
Transport cholesterol from the liver to tissues.
What is the function of LDLs?
Transport cholesterol from the liver to the tissues.
What is the function of HDLs?
Transport cholesterol from tissues back to the liver.
Which enzyme removes triacylglycerols from lipoproteins?
Lipoprotein lipase.
What does LCAT do?
Converts cholesterol in HDLs into Cholesterol esters for transport. If this fails, cholesterol builds up in tissues -atherosclerosis can be a result.
How do tissues receive cholesterol from LDLs?
Receptor mediated endocytosis. Lysosomes then digest LDL to release contents.
How do tissues receive cholesterol from HDLs?
Scavenger receptors receive the HDLs and cholesterol is transferred to the tissue.
What methods can be used to tackle hyperlipoproteinaemia?
- Diet and lifestyle change
- Statins
- Bile Salt Sequestrants
What is the enzyme which converts releases triacylglycerol from adipose tissue for transport to tissues? Effects of insulin and glucagon?
Hormone Sensitive Lipase
Insulin - Inhibit
Glucagon - Stimulate
How can free radicals be found in the mitochondria? What can happen?
Electrons passing in the electron transport chain can leak out between protein carriers - this electron can then join a molecule such as oxygen to form a free radical. Eg. Superoxide.
What does ROS stand for?
Reactive Oxygen Species
How can superoxide become hydrogen peroxide?
Superoxide can react with 2 H+ and an e- to form hydrogen peroxide.
What does catalase do?
Catalase is an enzyme which breaks hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.
How are hydroxyl radicals formed?
Hydrogen peroxide can react with H+ and e- to form water + hydroxyl radical.
How can the immune system create free radicals?
Phagocytic cells contain NADPH oxidase which converts NADPH to NADP+ and converts O2 to superoxide. This O2 radical can then form hydrogen peroxide which can lead to the formation of HClO radical (bleach) for use to kill bacteria.