Metabolic Pathways

What is metabolism?
Metabolism encompasses the integrated and controlled pathways of enzymecatalysed reactions within a cell. Metabolic pathways refer to reactions in the body that are linked together.

What are the two types of enzymecatalysed reaction?

Biosynthetic reactions (you probably called them synthesis reactions previously), which are also referred to as anabolism. Breakdown reactions, which are also referred to as catabolism.

Synthetic reactions
Example: glucose-1-phosphate
phosphorylase

starch

This reaction requires the input of energy to proceed (anabolic reaction).

Breakdown reactions
Example: starch
amylase

maltose

This reaction releases energy (catabolic reaction).

What else do you need to know?

Metabolic pathways can have reversible and irreversible steps. Alternative pathways may exist that can bypass steps in a pathway.