Metabolism: basic concepts and design - Glucose and fats, our primary fuels
4 important questions on Metabolism: basic concepts and design - Glucose and fats, our primary fuels
What is oxidation and reduction (redox)?
Reduction: gain of electrons (H/e-)
Transfer of electrons is the essence of a redox reaction.
Memorising : OILRIG
(Oxidation is loss, Reduction is gain)
What are the 2 ways that energy can be released?
- Direct burning of sugars: releases all Gibbs free energy at once as heat
- Stepwise glucose oxidation (in cells): glucose is oxidized by enzymes to transfer Gibbs free energy to carrier molecule (ATP)
The total amount of Gibbs free energy released is the same in both steps (DG': -2870kJ/mol)
How many steps has glucose breakdown?
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What are the 3 stages of catabolism (energy extracted from food)?
- Macromolecules are broken down into small units (digestion)
- Breakdown to the acetyl group of acetyl-CoAm a central metabolite
- ATP production through the oxidation of the acetyl group of acetyl-CoA
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