week 13.0 Flashcards
(228 cards)
Why is glucose considered a central fuel for our bodies?
Glucose is considered a central fuel for our bodies because when fully broken down, it provides a significant amount of energy. It can also be stored efficiently in a polymer form and can be used to create other important molecules such as amino acids, membrane lipids, and DNA and RNA components.
How does the oxygen requirement for breaking down glucose compare to breaking down fat?
When fully breaking down glucose, less oxygen is required compared to breaking down fat. While fat provides more energy in the form of calories, it requires more oxygen to convert into energy.
Why is glycolysis the primary metabolic pathway when there is an abundance of nutrients or a lack of oxygen?
When there is an abundance of nutrients or a lack of oxygen, the primary metabolic pathway is glycolysis because it breaks down glucose, requiring less oxygen to produce energy.
Why is brisk walking more effective for burning fat compared to intense running?
Brisk walking can be more effective for burning fat compared to intense running because fat metabolism requires more oxygen. When food is not available, the body relies on fat as an energy source, but it requires a higher oxygen supply.
How is glucose stored in plants and in our bodies?
In plants, glucose is stored as starch, which provides nutrients during digestion. In our bodies, glucose is stored as glycogen for later use.
Which tissues in our bodies rely mainly on glucose for their energy needs?
Tissues such as the liver, red blood cells, and some other cells rely mainly on glucose for their energy needs.
How does glucose utilization differ in Escherichia coli bacteria?
Escherichia coli bacteria have the ability to convert glucose into any molecule they need for growth. They can use glucose in various ways for different metabolic processes.
What are the two main pathways of glucose utilization mentioned in the text?
The two main pathways of glucose utilization mentioned in the text are glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway.
What is the primary outcome of glycolysis?
pyruvate and ATP
What is the function of the pentose phosphate pathway?
The pentose phosphate pathway uses glucose as an alternative source of energy and specifically produces riboses, which are important components of RNA, DNA, and other essential molecules in our body.
How is glucose stored for later use?
Glucose is stored in a polymer form known as glycogen
Besides energy production and storage, what other role does glucose play in the body?
Glucose is involved in the synthesis of polymers such as the extracellular matrix and cell wall polysaccharides.
Can you summarize the main uses of glucose in the body?
Glucose is primarily used for glycolysis to produce energy, but it can also be used through the pentose phosphate pathway for the production of important molecules. It can be stored as glycogen for later use and is involved in the formation of various polymers in the body.
What is the main goal of glycolysis?
The main goal of glycolysis is to produce energy in the form of ATP and NADH+H+.
What is the composition of ATP?
ATP is composed of three phosphate groups, ribose (a sugar molecule), and adenine (a component of DNA and RNA).
How is the energy stored in ATP released?
The energy stored in ATP is released by breaking the high-energy bonds between the phosphate groups.
What are some of the cellular processes that utilize the energy released from ATP?
The energy released from ATP is used for various cellular processes such as muscle contraction.
Besides ATP, what other molecules are synthesized from glucose during glycolysis?
Ribose and adenine are also synthesized from glucose during glycolysis.
What happens to pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis?
- In the presence of oxygen, pyruvate can enter the mitochondria where it undergoes further reactions to produce energy in a process called cellular respiration.
- Alternatively, pyruvate can be used as a building block to create important molecules needed by the body, such as amino acids, proteins, fats, nucleic acids and glucose.
How is energy stored during glycolysis?
Some of the energy released during glycolysis is stored in the form of ATP and NADH+H+.
Can you summarize the importance of glycolysis?
Glycolysis is important because it converts glucose into pyruvate, producing energy in the form of ATP and NADH+H+. ATP provides energy for cellular processes, while pyruvate can be used for further energy production and can be used as a building block to create important molecules in the body, such as proteins, fats, and nucleic acids.
Where does glycolysis take place in the cell?
Glycolysis takes place in the cytosol, which is the fluid part of the cell.
In which cells does glycolysis occur at a particularly high rate?
Glycolysis occurs at a particularly high rate in the brain and muscles.
Why does the brain require a lot of energy?
The brain requires a lot of energy for neuronal signaling.