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)?

Oxidation: loss of electrons (H/e-)
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?

Glucose is metabolised in 10 subsequent reactions: Glucose → Pyruvate (end product)
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What are the 3 stages of catabolism (energy extracted from food)?

  1. Macromolecules are broken down into small units (digestion)
  2. Breakdown to the acetyl group of acetyl-CoAm a central metabolite
  3. ATP production through the oxidation of the acetyl group of acetyl-CoA

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