Metabolic Pathways Comparison

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Which technique involves labeling metabolic substrates and intermediates with a measurable isotope to trace them through reactions?

Isotopic tracers (correct)
X-ray crystallography
Mass spectrometry
Radioactive dating

What did Melvin Calvin find to be the first metabolite labeled when algae are incubated with radioactive CO2?

15N
Stable isotopes
3-phosphoglycerate (correct)
Oxidative phosphorylation

In NMR spectroscopy, what can the absorption of radio-frequency energy by certain atomic isotopes reveal?

Metabolic substrates
Metabolic pathways
Chemical nature of neighboring atoms (correct)
Enzyme kinetics

Which technique can provide structural and dynamic information about biomolecules based on the influence of neighboring atoms and motion?

NMR spectroscopy (D) Signup and view all the answers

What allows NMR signals to offer a wide range of information about biomolecules?

Dynamic behavior of nuclei (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves observing the metabolism of a living subject in real time using NMR spectroscopy?

Real-time NMR observation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of compartmentalization within cells for metabolic pathways?

To localize specific reactions (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of isotopes have been used as metabolic tracers apart from radioactive isotopes?

'Heavy' isotopes (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key tool in discovery metabolomics?

Mass spectrometry (MS) Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

How many metabolites and structures are listed in the MEDLIN repository?

About 250,000 metabolites and about 70,000 structures Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers