Lecture Notes on Metabolic Pathways

Flashcards About Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, Fatty Acids, and Ketone Bodies

What are the three major products of glycolysis?

Pyruvate, acetyl CoA, and lactate.

Why is glucose not considered one of the major products of glycolysis?

It is the starting reactant, not a product, in glycolysis.

What is gluconeogenesis?

The pathway where glucose is synthesized from non-carbohydrate sources when glucose levels are low.

Where does the storage of glycogen primarily occur in the body?

The liver.

How do insulin and glucagon levels change in relation to eating and hunger?

Insulin increases when you eat, while glucagon decreases. This reverses when you are hungry, with insulin decreasing and glucagon increasing.

Does the brain require insulin to transport glucose?

Insulin is not needed for glucose to diffuse into the brain.

What is the purpose of gluconeogenesis?

Synthesizing glucose when there are not enough carbohydrates available using sources like lactate, amino acids, and fats.

What are fatty acids used for?

Utilizing acetyl CoA units cleaved from fatty acids to get energy, with the conversion of ATP to AMP.

When does the body primarily utilize fatty acids as an energy source?

When there are no more carbohydrates or sugars available to burn, the body will utilize fatty acids as an energy source.

What happens when the body does not have enough carbohydrates available?

When not enough carbohydrates are available, the body turns to triglycerides (fats), leading to beta oxidation in fatty acids, which produces a large amount of acetyl CoA.

What happens if the citric acid cycle cannot process all the acetyl CoA produced from fatty acids?

If the citric acid cycle cannot process all the extra acetyl CoA, it turns into ketone bodies, potentially leading to ketogenesis.

What is acetone breath, and what does it indicate?

A byproduct of ketone bodies, often detectable on the breath when someone is in ketosis or starvation.

Are ketone bodies harmful?

In small amounts, ketone bodies are fine, but a large amount can cause problems, potentially leading to ketoacidosis.

If someone shows signs of ketoacidosis , what is the main goal of treatment?

The main goal is to treat the acidity because the blood and urine pH levels are too low (acidic).

What are the three pathways of glucose after breaking down?

Pyruvate, acetylcholate, and intermediate pathway