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Energy of Life
Metabolism
Metabolism is a word used to describe all the chemical changes within an
organism which are necessary for life.
The word metabolite refers to substances which undergo various changes
during the metabolism. For example, carbon dioxide and water are metabolites
used in the process of photosynthesis.
Metabolism is the term used to refer to the sum of all chemical reactions
within a living organism. Because chemical reactions either release or require
energy; metabolism can be viewed as an energy-balancing act.
Two types of chemical reactions occur in cells: synthetic and break down.
Synthetic reactions are those in which molecules are linked together to
form a more complex compound:
A+B AB
A and B are the reactants (metabolites) and AB represents the product.
Break down reactions are those in which a complex compound is split into
simpler molecules:
AB A+B
In this case, AB is the substrate and A and B are the products.
Therefore, there are two different types of metabolism:
a) Catabolism
b) Anabolism
Catabolism
Catabolism is a process in which complex substances are broken down into
simpler ones, resulting in the release of energy.
During respiration for example, glucose sugar is broken down into
carbon dioxide gas and water, releasing energy for life.
Anabolism
Anabolism is a process which uses energy released during catabolism to
build up (synthesize) complex substances from simpler ones.
Examples of anabolism are photosynthesis and all processes of
growth and repair in the bodies of organisms.
Catabolic reactions furnish the energy needed to drive anabolic
phosphate (ATP).
ATP stores energy derived from catabolic reactions and perform other
Some animal tissues (e.g. muscle during strenuous exercise) and plant
tissues (e.g. roots in water logged soil) are able to respire anaerobically, if
circumstances demand it.
The Biochemistry of Aerobic respiration
The aerobic respiration of glucose is summarized by the following chemical
equation:
Aerobic respiration releases all the available energy within each glucose
molecule; that is, it produces the same amount of energy that is released when
glucose is burnt in oxygen gas.
The whole process involves a sequence of 50 separate reactions each
catalyzed by a different enzyme. The result is a controlled release of energy
which is more useful to the organism than a sudden explosive burst of energy.
All the hydrogen atoms contained within a glucose molecule combine with
oxygen atoms to form water.
The bulk of respiratory energy becomes available to the organism as hydrogen
atoms are removed from glucose during respiration. This process is catalyzed by
“dehydrogenase enzymes”. In other words, the oxygen which an aerobic
organism has absorbed combines with hydrogen atoms from glucose or other
foods to produce water, which may be excreted from the body.
Four main stages in glucose respiration
Fig:
Cells cannot use energy as soon as it is released from respiration: the energy is
first used to build up a temporary energy store, which takes the form of a chemical called
adenosine tri phosphate or ATP.
Molecules of ATP are best thought of as “Packets of energy”. Respiration fills
these ATP packets with energy and they are ‘emptied’ when energy is needed anywhere in
the body.
How does ATP release Energy
ATP stands for Adenosine Tri Phosphate. ATP are is relatively small soluble
organic molecule. Because of its solubility and small size, ATP can be transported
rapidly around cells and so can supply energy where it is needed. Metabolically
active cell such as those in muscle, transport and break down many ATP molecules.
When ATP loses a phosphate group to become ADP, adenosine diphosphate, the
reaction is exergonic (it releases energy). The same amount of energy is released
when ADP loses another phosphate group to become AMP (adenosine mono
phosphate) ; less energy is released when the last phosphate group is lost.
ATP is an important molecule in living systems because it can lose its terminal
phosphate group readily, releasing enough energy to power biological processes
without producing excess heat.
Yoghurt
Breads
Wine
Beer
The equation for anaerobic respiration shows that CO2 is a product of
alcoholic fermentation. In the making of bread, bakers’ dough rises because the
yeast mixed into it produces CO2 gas which fills the dough with bubbles as it
escapes.
HETEROTROPHS:
Occurs in organism
which contains
“ Chlorophyll”
Reaction in Photosynthesis
The Role of Chlorophyll
• Chlorophyll is found in Chloroplast
• Works as a CATALYST in photosynthesis
Reaction speed up the process.
• Other pigments _
– Carotenes orange
– Xanthophylls yellow
• They assist photosynthesis reaction by absorbing
different colors and help Chlorophyll
Differences between
Photosynthesis and Respiration
Enzymes
How the confectioners make the runny yolk-
like inside to chocolate eggs?
The answer is : use of an enzyme
E-S complex
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