Metabolism Overview and Energy Processes

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Questions and Answers

What does metabolism refer to?

All chemical reactions of the body

How does catabolism differ from anabolism?

Catabolism breaks down molecules into smaller molecules, releasing more energy than absorbed. Anabolism combines molecules into more complex ones and absorbs more energy than they release.

What are the two principal kinds of energy?

Potential energy and kinetic energy

What form of potential energy causes chemical reactions?

Chemical energy Signup and view all the answers

How do exergonic reactions differ from endergonic reactions?

Exergonic reactions release more energy than they absorb, while endergonic reactions absorb more energy than they release. Signup and view all the answers

Why is chemical energy needed for metabolism?

Chemical energy is needed to power chemical reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What do enzymes do?

Enzymes catalyze reactions by helping molecules interact. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to enzyme-catalyzed reactions when the body's temperature increases above the optimum temperature for enzymes?

The rate of the reaction decreases. Signup and view all the answers

What does ATP do?

ATP transfers chemical energy to power cellular activities. Signup and view all the answers

How is ATP produced?

ATP is produced by cellular respiration. Signup and view all the answers

During ______ digestion, polysaccharides and disaccharides are catabolized into glucose.

carbohydrate Signup and view all the answers

What happens to lipids if the body has no immediate use for them?

They are stored as triglycerides in adipose tissue and in the liver. Signup and view all the answers

List two things that happen during digestion when proteins are broken down into amino acids.

Amino acids will be used to synthesize new proteins for body growth and repair. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) in metabolism?

Acts as a coenzyme involved in carbohydrate metabolism and is essential for synthesis of acetylcholine. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in metabolism?

Component of coenzymes involved in carbohydrate and protein metabolism. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) in metabolism?

Essential coenzyme for normal amino acid metabolism and assists in the production of circulating antibodies. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Metabolism Overview

Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions occurring in the body.
Catabolism breaks down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing more energy than it absorbs.
Anabolism synthesizes complex molecules from simpler ones, absorbing more energy than it releases.

Energy and Metabolism

Two principal types of energy: potential energy and kinetic energy.
Chemical energy is the form of potential energy that powers chemical reactions.
Exergonic reactions release more energy than they absorb, while endergonic reactions absorb more energy than they release.
Chemical energy is essential for metabolic reactions to occur.

Role of Enzymes

Enzymes act as catalysts, increasing the rate of chemical reactions by facilitating molecular interactions.
Optimal enzyme activity temperature is typically around human body temperature (37°C or 98.6°F).
An increase in body temperature above the enzyme's optimum reduces the reaction rate.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) in Metabolism

ATP transfers chemical energy necessary for cellular activities.
ATP is generated through cellular respiration, comprising several stages:
- Glycolysis
- Formation of acetyl coenzyme A
- Krebs cycle
- Electron transport chain

Carbohydrate Metabolism

During digestion, polysaccharides and disaccharides are broken down into glucose.
Glucose is catabolized by cells to produce ATP, fueling metabolic processes.

Lipid Metabolism

Lipids can also be catabolized to generate ATP.
If not immediately utilized, excess lipids are stored as triglycerides in adipose tissue and the liver.

Protein Metabolism

Proteins are digested into amino acids.
Amino acids are used to synthesize new proteins, crucial for body growth and repair.

Role of Nutrition in Metabolism

B vitamins and vitamin C are vital for energy metabolism and cellular protection.
Key vitamins and their functions:
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):
  - Coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism
  - Crucial for synthesizing acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter.
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):
  - Component of coenzymes involved in carbohydrate and protein metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine):
  - Coenzyme for normal amino acid metabolism.
  - Aids in the production of circulating antibodies.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamentals of metabolism, including catabolism and anabolism, and their roles in energy transformation within the body. It also delves into the importance of enzymes in facilitating metabolic reactions and the effects of temperature on enzyme activity. Test your knowledge on these critical biological processes!