BCH110B_Key_Concepts

Metabolism

A series of linked reactions that convert substrates into products, encompassing both catabolism and anabolism.

Catabolism

The breakdown of larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy, producing ATP and reducing equivalents.

Anabolism

The synthesis of larger molecules from smaller ones, requiring energy, using ATP and reductive power.

Glycolysis

The process of splitting sugar (glucose) for energy, occurring in the cytosol of all cells.

Gluconeogenesis

The synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors, primarily occurring in the liver and kidneys.

Oxidative Process

A metabolic pathway that captures energy by oxidizing substrates, leading to ATP production.

Pentose Phosphate Pathway

A pathway that generates NADPH and ribose 5-phosphate for detoxification and biosynthesis, involving oxidation.

Cori Cycle

The cycle of interconversion of glucose and lactate between muscle and liver, critical for maintaining blood glucose levels during exercise.

Glycogen

A stored form of glucose in animals, mainly found in the liver and muscles, providing a quick source of energy.

Feedback Inhibition

A regulatory mechanism where the end products of a metabolic pathway inhibit their own biosynthetic pathway.

Isomerization

The process of converting one isomer of a compound into another, as seen in metabolic pathways.

Hexokinase

An enzyme that phosphorylates glucose in the first committed step of glycolysis, trapping it within the cell.

Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate

A powerful regulator of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, promoting glycolysis when glucose levels are high.

Pyruvate Kinase

An enzyme that catalyzes the final step of glycolysis, converting phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to pyruvate while producing ATP.

Glycogen Phosphorylase

An enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of glycogen into glucose-1-phosphate during glycogenolysis.

Glycogen Synthase

The key enzyme in glycogen synthesis that adds glucose from UDP-glucose to the non-reducing ends of glycogen.

Lactate Fermentation

An anaerobic process that regenerates NAD+ from NADH, allowing glycolysis to continue in the absence of oxygen.

Alcohol Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugars to carbon dioxide and ethanol through glycolysis and fermentation.

TCA Cycle (Kreb's Cycle)

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.