Biochemical Energy Production and Digestion

Flashcards summarizing key stages and enzymes involved in biochemical energy production, protein, fat, and carbohydrate digestion.

Digestion (Stage 1)

Changes ingested food into smaller, simpler molecules like fatty acids, glycerol, glucose, and amino acids.

Acetyl Group Formation (Stage 2)

Small molecules from digestion are degraded into smaller units, primarily acetyl groups forming acetyl CoA.

Citric Acid Cycle (Stage 3)

Acetyl CoA is oxidized to produce CO₂ and reduced coenzymes (NADH, FADH₂) in the citric acid cycle.

Electron Transport Chain & Oxidative Phosphorylation (Stage 4)

NADH and FADH₂ facilitate ATP production through the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation.

Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)

Denatures proteins in the stomach.

Pepsin

Hydrolyzes peptide bonds in the stomach.

Trypsin, Chymotrypsin, Carboxypeptidase, Aminopeptidase

Further hydrolyzes peptide bonds in the small intestine.

Bile

Emulsifies fat droplets in the small intestine.

Pancreatic Lipases

Hydrolyze triacylglycerols (TAGs) into monoacylglycerols and fatty acids in the small intestine.

Chylomicrons

Transport triacylglycerols (TAGs) to the bloodstream via the lymphatic system.

Salivary α-amylase

Hydrolyzes some α-glycosidic linkages in carbohydrates in the mouth.

Maltase, Sucrase, Lactase

Hydrolyzes disaccharides into monosaccharides in the intestinal mucosal cells.