Biochemistry Lecture 15: Metabolism Overview

What is the primary function of the major catabolic pathways in eukaryotic cells?

Which of the following micronutrients is NOT listed among the essential elements for cell growth?

Which compound is primarily broken down by glycolysis in eukaryotic cells?

What major element is included in mammalian cell culture media recipes for stable growth?

What is a common source of complex nutrients in many mammalian cell culture media recipes?

What is the primary function of catabolism within metabolism?

Which term describes the cataloguing and analysis of metabolites?

What do prokaryotic cells primarily use as a carbon source for energy?

Which of the following is a key requirement for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and phospholipids?

What is the role of metabolites in metabolic pathways?

Why might prokaryotic cells prefer to take in complex materials instead of building them from scratch?

Which of the following best describes the overall concept of metabolism?

What are enzymes primarily responsible for in metabolic pathways?

Introduction to Metabolism

Metabolism encompasses all cellular reactions for food intake and assimilation.
Provides essential components: carbon, nitrogen, and building blocks for DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids.
Enzymes catalyze all metabolic reactions, with intermediate compounds referred to as metabolites.
Metabolomics is a new science focused on cataloguing and analyzing metabolites.
Metabolism is categorized into two processes: catabolism (breaking down) and anabolism (building up).

Major Catabolic Pathways

Catabolism involves the breakdown of food into simpler chemical compounds for energy and building blocks.
Prokaryotic cells can synthesize complex organic compounds from inorganic sources using glucose for energy and carbon.
Prokaryotes prefer to assimilate preformed nutrients such as amino acids and vitamins to conserve energy.
Essential nutrients for cells include phosphate for DNA, RNA, and phospholipids, along with ions like Mg, Na, Ca, and K.
Micronutrients required by all cells include: Fe, Co, Mo, Se, Cu, Mn, Zn, B.

Eukaryotic Nutritional Needs

Eukaryotic cells need pre-formed carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur compounds for growth.
Higher eukaryotic cells, like mammalian cells, cannot synthesize many amino acids or vitamins.
Culture media for mammalian cells must contain essential and non-essential amino acids, vitamins, lipids, trace elements, and major elements (Mg, K, Na).
Serum (e.g., fetal calf serum) is commonly used in culture media to provide complex nutrients.
There is a shift in industry towards serum-free media for mammalian cell culture, using defined serum-free formulations.

Major Catabolic Pathways in Detail

Key catabolic pathways include:
- Glycolysis: The breakdown of glucose to produce energy.
- Beta-oxidation: The breakdown of fatty acids for energy production.

This quiz covers Lecture 15 of BENG0004, focusing on the introduction to metabolism and the major catabolic pathways within cells. Understand how cells take in food and utilize it for essential reactions that provide necessary nutrients for their function.