Cell Metabolism and Nutrient Pools

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson
Download our mobile app to listen on the go
Get App

Questions and Answers

During cellular metabolism, what is the primary role of catabolic reactions?

  • To transport nutrients across cell membranes
  • To break down large molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy (correct)
  • To synthesize complex molecules from simpler ones
  • To store energy in the form of glycogen

Which of the following best describes the 'nutrient pool' within the context of metabolism?

  • The sum of all vitamins and minerals present in the body
  • The total amount of triglycerides stored within adipose tissue.
  • The quantity of glycogen stored in the liver and muscles.
  • The collection of all available nutrient molecules (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) distributed in the blood. (correct)

In the context of cellular respiration, what is the ultimate fate of electrons within the electron transport chain?

  • They combine with oxygen atoms and hydrogen ions to form water. (correct)
  • They are used to directly phosphorylate ADP to form ATP.
  • They are transferred back to NADH and FADH2 to regenerate these coenzymes.
  • They are passed to carbon dioxide, reducing it to form glucose.

During oxidation-reduction reactions, how does the reduced atom or molecule change?

<p>It gains electrons and gains energy. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the functional importance of coenzymes like NAD and FAD in cellular metabolism?

<p>They act as intermediaries, accepting and transferring electrons during redox reactions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a molecule is described as being oxidized, this means that it has:

<p>Lost electrons. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of energetic reactions, if an atom or molecule is reduced, what happens to its energy level?

<p>It gains energy. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly differentiates between anabolism and catabolism?

<p>Anabolism synthesizes complex molecules, requiring energy; catabolism breaks down complex molecules, releasing energy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the structure of glycogen contribute to its function as a nutrient reserve?

<p>Its branched structure allows for rapid release of glucose molecules when needed. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are oxidation and reduction reactions always paired?

<p>Because the electron donor needs to be oxidized to donate, and the electron recipient needs to be reduced to receive. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the role of proteins as nutrient reserves?

<p>They are primarily used for structural and functional roles, and only used as an energy source during starvation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of oxygen in the electron transport chain?

<p>It serves as the final electron acceptor, forming water. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes FAD from NAD in terms of their function as coenzymes?

<p>FAD accepts two hydrogen atoms, while NAD accepts two, releasing a proton. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which class of nutrients serves as the most abundant storage lipids in the body?

<p>Triglycerides (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Anabolic reactions are characterized by which of the following processes?

<p>Synthesizing complex molecules from smaller ones, requiring energy input. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical and physical changes occurring in body tissues.

Catabolism

A metabolic process that breaks down large molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy.

Anabolism

A metabolic process that synthesizes large molecules from smaller ones, requiring energy.

Nutrient Pool

Nutrient molecules available for immediate use in the blood.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Triglycerides

Most abundant storage lipids, consisting primarily of fatty acids.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Glycogen

Most abundant storage carbohydrate, a branched chain of glucose molecules.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Energetics

Study of the flow of energy and its changes from one form to another.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Oxidation

A reaction involving the loss of hydrogen or electrons.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Reduction

A reaction involving the gain of hydrogen or electrons.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes in mitochondria where electrons are passed to facilitate oxidation-reduction reactions, ultimately forming water.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Coenzymes

Molecules which play a key role in the flow of energy within a cell. Transfer electrons.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Coenzyme FAD

A coenzyme that accepts two hydrogen atoms (gains two electrons), forming FADH2.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Coenzyme NAD

A coenzyme that accepts two hydrogen atoms (gains two electrons) and releases one proton, forming NADH.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Cell Requirements for Reactions

  • Cells need oxygen, nutrients, water, vitamins, mineral ions, and organic substrates to perform reactions

Metabolism

  • Metabolism is the the sum of all chemical and physical changes in body tissues
  • Metabolism consists of catabolism and anabolism

Nutrient Pools

  • Nutrient pools are all available nutrient molecules distributed in blood

Catabolism

  • Catabolism converts large molecules into smaller ones.
  • The breakdown of organic substrates releases energy, which is then used to synthesize ATP

Anabolism

  • Anabolism converts small molecules into larger ones
  • Synthesis of new organic compounds is an "uphill" process that forms new chemical bonds

Functions of Anabolism

  • Anabolism performs structural maintenance/repairs, supports growth, produces secretions, and stores nutrient reserves

Nutrient Reserves

  • Triglycerides are the most abundant storage lipids and consist primarily of fatty acids

Glycogen

  • Glycogen is the most abundant storage carbohydrate and a branched chain of glucose molecules

Proteins

  • Proteins are the most abundant organic components in the body and performs many vital cellular functions

Energetics

  • Energetics studies the flow of energy and its change from one form to another

Oxidation and Reduction

  • Oxidation and reduction reactions occur in pairs
  • Oxidation is the loss of hydrogen or electrons, thus the electron donor is oxidized
  • Reduction is the gain of hydrogen or electrons, thus the electron recipient is reduced

Redox Reactions

  • Electrons carry chemical energy
  • In an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction, an atom/molecule is being reduced while the other is oxidized
  • The reduced atom or molecule gains energy, while the oxidized atom or molecule loses energy
  • Some energy is always released as heat, while the remaining energy can be used to perform physical/chemical work to form ATP

Electron Transport Chain

  • The electron transport chain is a series of protein complexes in the mitochondria
  • Electrons pass through a series of oxidation-reduction reactions
  • Ultimately, electrons are transferred to oxygen
  • Water forms as electrons combine with oxygen atoms and hydrogen ions

Coenzymes Role in Energy Flow

  • Coenzymes play a key role in the flow of energy within a cell and act as intermediaries

Coenzymes Function

  • Coenzymes accept electrons from one molecule and transfer them to another molecule

Coenzymes Examples

  • NAD and FAD are examples of coenzymes
  • Hydrogen atoms are removed from organic molecules aided by coenzymes
  • Each hydrogen atom consists of an electron and a proton
  • Accepting a hydrogen atom reduces the coenzyme

Coenzyme FAD

  • FAD accepts 2 hydrogen atoms (gains 2 electrons) and forms FADH2

Coenzyme NAD

  • The oxidized form of NAD has a positive charge (NAD+)
  • NAD accepts 2 hydrogen atoms (gains 2 electrons), releases 1 proton, and forms NADH

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser