Unit 1.6 Metabolic Pathways Flashcards
What is cell metabolism
The product of all the biochemical reactions that take place in a living cell
What are metabolic pathways
Integrated & controlled pathways of enzyme-catalysed reactions within a cell
The 2 types of metabolic pathways
Catabolic reactions & Anabolic reactions
What do catabolic reactions do
Break down large molecules into smaller molecules and release energy
What do anabolic reactions do
Build up large molecules from small molecules and requires energy
2 examples of catabolic reactions
1- Aerobic respiration
2- Breakdown of starch by amylase: starch —> maltose
2 examples of anabolic reactions
1- protein synthesis
2- Synthesis of starch by phosphorylase: glucose-1-phosphate —> starch
What are the 2 types of steps a metabolic pathway could have
Reversible & irreversible
What type of pathway can bypass steps
Alternative pathways
What happens in reversible reaction
The substrate is converted into the product as long as the concentration of the reactant (substrate) is relatively higher than the product
What happens if the concentration of the reactant decreases in a reversible reaction
The reaction will proceed in the opposite direction
What do enzymes work to keep in a reversible reaction
An equilibrium- to maintain a balance of the starting reactants & products
What happens in the irreversible steps of a metabolic pathway
Once the substrate has turned into a product it cannot change back to a substrate
What do alternative routes in metabolic pathways allow
Certain steps in a pathway to be bypassed
What is metabolic rate
The quantity of energy consumed by an organism per unit of time
What can metabolic rate be measured by
Oxygen consumption, CO2 production & energy production in the form of heat