Metabolism Of Cells PDF

METABOLISM OF CELLS  Cellular Metabolism - the sum of chemical reactions that take place in living cells, Each living cell, whether single-celled or multicellular, must ensure: - energy needed for life processes and - the synthesis of essential substances for the...

METABOLISM OF CELLS  Cellular Metabolism - the sum of chemical reactions that take place in living cells, Each living cell, whether single-celled or multicellular, must ensure: - energy needed for life processes and - the synthesis of essential substances for the cell (enzymes, hormones …) Types of Cells:  Types of Metabolic Processes: Anabolism: Catabolism: Builds larger molecules Breaks down complex from smaller ones. molecules into simpler Requires energy (stored in ones. bonds of new compounds). Releases stored energy. Examples: Protein synthesis, sugar formation during Examples: Breakdown of photosynthesis. glucose to CO₂ and H₂O. Types of Metabolic Processes: Energy Storage → ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) - is the energy-carrying molecule used in cells because it can release energy very quickly. - Energy is released from ATP when the end phosphate is removed (energy is stored in energy-rich bonds, which release energy when broken) - Once ATP has released energy, it becomes ADP (adenosine diphosphate), which is a low energy molecule. - ADP can be recharged back into ATP by adding a phosphate (this requires energy) - Almost all cellular processes need ATP to give a reaction its required energy.  Enzymes - Biocatalysts that accelerate metabolic reactions in cells. - Made up of a protein component (apoenzyme) and sometimes a non-protein part (coenzyme). - Active Site → region on the enzyme where the substrate binds, responsible for enzyme's catalytic function - enzymes also have functional specificity because each enzyme catalyzes only a particular type of chemical reaction..  Enzymes - Apart from specificity to the substrate and function, each enzyme’s activity depends on environmental conditions. - Individual enzymes are effective within a specific pH range. - Changes in pH outside this range limit the enzyme's activity. - Similarly, temperature range and substrate concentration affect enzyme reactions.  Enzyme Regulation: Enzymes can be activated or inhibited by other chemical substances in the cell: ○ Activators→ Compounds that turn inactive enzymes into active ones. ○ Inhibitors → Compounds that reduce or stop enzyme activity.