Metabolism Flashcards
(88 cards)
What are the three stages of metabolism?
Step 1 = breakdown of macromolecules
- Occurs outside of cells
- Macromolecules –> subunits
Step 2 = glycolysis & krebs’ cycle
- Occurs in the cytosol (final step in the mitochondria)
- Production of ATP + NADH
Step 3 = oxidative phosphorylation
- Occurs in the mitochondria

Define anabolic and catabolic metabolism
Anabolic - construct molecules from smaller units (i.e. use energy)
Catabolic - breakdown molecules from larger units to produce energy (often referred to as “useful” metabolism)
Define the following type of metabolic reaction:
- Oxidation-reduction
- Ligation (req. ATP cleavage)
- Isomerisation
- Group transfer
- Hydrolytic
- Addition/Removal of functional group
REDOX = electron transfer
Ligation = formation of covalent bond (eg: C-C)
Isomerisation = re-arrangement of atoms (i.e. forms isomers)
Group transfer = transfer of functional group from one molecule to another
Hydrolytic = cleavage of blond + addition of water
Addition/Removal of functional group = to double bond
Where does ATP carry its energy?
Energy is carried within the phophate bonds (anhydride bonds)

Define free energy
Free Energy (G) is defined as the amount of energy within a molecule that could perform useful work at a constant temperature (units = kJ/mole)
What is ∆G?
∆G is negative, leading to an increase in disorder of the system, release of heat.
What is the main way of generating ATP?
Glucose combustion
Give the formula/equation for glucose combunstion
C6H12O6 + 6O2 –> 6CO2 + 6H20
What is a coupled reaction? Why is it within the cell’s interest to have coupled reactions?
Many cellular reactions required energy (i.e. they are energetically unfavourable) therefore they are coupled with energetically favourable reactions (i.e. reactions that form energy). This ensures that overall, the cell is energetically neutral
What are the two main ways of making ATP (within the cell)?
- Substrate Level Phosphorylation - the direct transfer of one phosphate group from an intermediate substrate to ADP throughout a biochemical pathway (eg: glycolysis)
- Electron Transfer - energy derived from the ETC is used to produced ATP (eg: oxidative phosphorylation)
What is NAD? Describe its role
- NAD+ (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a co-enzyme
- Critical co-factor for dehydrogenase reactions
- Catalyses the dehydrogenation of substrates
- Acceptor of one hydrogen atom and two electrons
- Note - it has no effect on its own but functions only after binding to a protein.
What is glycolysis?
Glycolysis is the anaerobic metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate

What is the net yeild of glycolysis?
Net Yeild = 2 x ATP, 2 x NADH
(Total = 4 x ATP, 2 x NADH)
What are the three general phases of glycolysis
- Energy Investment (steps 1 - 3)
- Glucose → Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate
- Energy Usage (steps 4 - 5)
- Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate → Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
- Enegy Release (steps 6 - 10)
- Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate → Pyruvate
Outline the 10 steps of glycolysis
(i.e. give the 10 molecules involved)
- Glucose
- Glucose-6-Phosphate
- Fructose-6-Phosphate
- Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate
- Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate
Dihydoxyacetone-Phosphate - Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate
- 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate
- 3-Phosphoglycerate
- 2-Phosphoglycerate
- Phosphoinol-Pyruvate
- Pyruvate
How many reactions are involved in glycolysis?
10
Glycolysis: Reaction 1
Reaction 1: Phosphorylation
Reaction: Glucose –> Glucose-6-Phosphate
Enzyme: Hexokinase
Energy: 1 x ATP –> ADP (i.e. requires energy)
This is the first phosphorylation event and is irreversible
Glycolysis: Reaction 2
Reaction 2: Isomerisation
Reaction: Glucose-6-Phosphate à Fructose-6-Phosphate
Enzyme: Phosphoglucose Isomerase (shuffling of phosphate forming open chain form)
Product: Water
Glycolysis: Reaction 3
Reaction 3: Phosphorylation
Reaction: Fructose-6-Phosphate –> Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate
Enzyme: Phosphofructokinase
Energy: 1 x ATP –> ADP (i.e. energy usage)
Glycolysis: Reaction 4
Reaction 4: Cleavage
Reaction: Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate –> glyceraldehye-3-phophate + dihydroxacetone phophate
Enzyme: Aldolase (2x 2C molecules formed)
Glycolysis: Reaction 5
Reaction 5: Reduction/Fixation
Reaction: glyceraldehye-3-phophate fixation
Enzyme: **Triose phosphate isomerase **
Glycolysis: Reaction 6
NB: reaction 6 = 2 parts - hydrogenation + phosphorylation
Reaction 6: **Hydrogenation **
Reaction: 2 x glyceraldehye-3-phophate
Enzyme: **Triose phosphate dehydrogenase **
Product: 2 x NAD –> 2 x NADH (hydrogenation of NAD)
2 molecules created as the pathway splits in two at this point - i.e. from this point, everything happens twice
Reaction 6: **Phosphorylation **
Reaction: glyceraldehye-3-phophate –> 1,3-bisphophoglycerate
Enzyme: glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase
Product: ADP –> ATP (i.e. energy generation) (2 in total - one produced in each branch)
Glycolysis: Reaction 7
Reaction 7: Phosphorylation (relocation of C bond)
Reaction: 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate –> 3-phosphoglycerate
Enzyme: Phosphorglycerate Kinase
Glycolysis: Reaction 8
Reaction 8: Dehydration
Reaction: 3-phosphoglycerate –> 2-phosphoglycerate
Enzyme: Phosphoglycerate Mutase








