18 Questions
Which technique involves labeling metabolic substrates and intermediates with a measurable isotope to trace them through reactions?
Isotopic tracers
What did Melvin Calvin find to be the first metabolite labeled when algae are incubated with radioactive CO2?
3-phosphoglycerate
In NMR spectroscopy, what can the absorption of radio-frequency energy by certain atomic isotopes reveal?
Chemical nature of neighboring atoms
Which technique can provide structural and dynamic information about biomolecules based on the influence of neighboring atoms and motion?
NMR spectroscopy
What allows NMR signals to offer a wide range of information about biomolecules?
Dynamic behavior of nuclei
Which process involves observing the metabolism of a living subject in real time using NMR spectroscopy?
Real-time NMR observation
What is the main purpose of compartmentalization within cells for metabolic pathways?
To localize specific reactions
Which type of isotopes have been used as metabolic tracers apart from radioactive isotopes?
'Heavy' isotopes
What is the key tool in discovery metabolomics?
Mass spectrometry (MS)
How can software help in the identification of individual metabolites in complex data sets obtained through mass spectrometry?
Software can collate the MS information and create networks of structural similarities.
How many metabolites and structures are listed in the MEDLIN repository?
About 250,000 metabolites and about 70,000 structures
Explain the concept of metabolome and its significance in a biological system.
The metabolome refers to the complete set of low molecular weight molecules present in an organism. It is important as it provides insights into the biochemical processes and pathways within a biological system under specific circumstances.
How do anabolic and catabolic processes form the core of metabolic pathways?
Anabolic processes involve the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy. Catabolic processes, on the other hand, break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy. Together, these processes regulate the flow of energy and molecules in metabolic pathways.
What experiments can be used to elucidate metabolic pathways, and how do they contribute to our understanding of metabolism?
Experiments like metabolic tracing using isotopes, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry can help elucidate metabolic pathways by tracking the flow of molecules through different reactions. These experiments provide valuable insights into the interconnectedness of metabolic processes and the regulation of biochemical pathways.
What is fluxomics and how does it contribute to understanding the true phenotype of a cell?
Fluxomics is the quantitative study of metabolite flow in a metabolic network. It contributes to understanding the true phenotype of a cell by providing information about the flow of metabolites through its metabolic network.
How does the concept of the fluxome differ from the metabolome?
The fluxome represents all the metabolic fluxes in a metabolic network, focusing on the flow of metabolites. In contrast, the metabolome provides a snapshot of all the metabolites in a cell at a given moment.
Explain the core roles of anabolic and catabolic processes in metabolic pathways.
Anabolic processes involve the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy. Catabolic processes, on the other hand, break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.
What types of experiments can be employed to elucidate metabolic pathways?
Experiments involving isotopic labeling, metabolic tracing, and NMR spectroscopy can be used to elucidate metabolic pathways.
Explore the differences between anabolic and catabolic pathways, focusing on the converging end products and the regulation mechanisms. Learn how cells manage metabolic processes for energy production.
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