Cell Metabolism (MBC) Flashcards
Carbohydrate Metabolism Fat Metabolism (38 cards)
What is the Gibbs Free Energy value for ATP hydrolysis?
~ -31 KJ/mol
What are catabolic processes?
Break down of complex (i.e. food) molecules into smaller biosynthetic components and the release of energy as a result
What is energy released as in catabolic reactions? [2]
- Useful energy forms
2. Lost heat
What are anabolic processes?
Generation of larger, more complex molecules from simpler molecules
How are catabolism and anabolism related?
Anabolism is, in essence, the opposite of catabolism.
Catabolism involves breaking down large molecules whereas anabolism is building larger molecules.
What is the key process of anabolic pathways?
Biosynthesis
What are the three main stages of carbohydrate metabolism?
- Glycolysis
- TCA or Krebs Cycle
- Oxidative Phosphorylation
What is glycolysis? (aerobic)
Oxidation of glucose within the cytoplasm of individual cells, generating ATP and NADH
What are the overall (net) products of glycolysis?
- 2 Pyruvate molecules
- 2 ATP
- 2 NADH
Where does glycolysis occur in the cell?
In the cytoplasm
What happens in the TCA cycle?
Further oxidation of small molecules within the mitochondria to generate reduced co-factors (NADH & FADH2), an ATP equivalent (GTP), and waste products (CO2)
What happens in oxidative phosphorylation?
The generation of the majority of cellular ATP by the reduction of oxygen to water. This process involves the use of an electron transfer chains and reduced co-factors
Where does the TCA cycle occur?
Mitochondrial matrix
Where does oxidative phosphorylation occur?
Inner mitochondrial membrane
What is the main waste product from amino acid breakdown?
Urea (from the conversion of ammonium ions)
What are the two main waste products of cellular metabolism?
- Carbon Dioxide
- Water
Compare glucose combustion and glucose metabolism in terms of:
- Gibbs Free Energy
- Activation energies + how they’re overcome
- Free energy release
Combustion:
- Gibbs = -2872 KJ/mol
- Large activation energy overcome by heat in one big step
- Free energy released as heat
Metabolism:
- Gibbs = -2782 KJ/mol
- Small activation energies overcome in several discrete (and smaller) steps by enzymes and body temp
- Released free energy is stored in carrier molecules, e.g. ATP
Approximately how many ATP molecules are generated in cellular (carbohydrate) metabolism from the complete oxidation of glucose?
~ 38 ATP molecules/glucose
Gibbs Free Energy value for ATP hydrolysis is -38 KJ/mol while carbohydrate metabolism (which generates ~38 ATP molecules per glucose) has a free energy value of -1178 KJ/mol.
What is the percentage efficiency of cellular (carbohydrate) metabolism?
~ 20%
Name the 6 reactions which define metabolism
- Redox
- Ligation requiring ATP cleavage
- Isomerisation
- Group transfer
- Hydrolysis
- (+) or (-) of functional groups
Describe the metabolic reaction:
Redox
Electron transfer
Describe the metabolic reaction:
Ligation requiring ATP cleavage
Formation of covalent bonds
Describe the metabolic reaction:
Isomeration
Rearrangement of atoms to form isomers
Describe the metabolic reaction:
Group transfer
Transfer of a functional group from one molecule to another