BioChem Test 3 Material

Digestion

The process of breaking down food into smaller components for absorption and utilization of nutrients.

Proteins

Large biomolecules made up of amino acids that serve various functions including enzyme catalysis, structural components, and signaling.

Proteases

Enzymes that break down proteins into smaller peptides or amino acids.

Pepsin

An enzyme activated in the acidic environment of the stomach that begins the process of protein digestion.

Cholescystokinin (CCK)

A hormone that stimulates the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the gallbladder.

Glycolysis

A metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH in the process.

Catabolic pathways

Metabolic pathways that break down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy.

Anabolic pathways

Metabolic pathways that use energy to synthesize more complex biomolecules from simpler ones.

Substrate level phosphorylation

The direct production of ATP from ADP by the transfer of a phosphate group, without the involvement of an electron transport chain.

Acetyl CoA

A key metabolic intermediate that feeds into the citric acid cycle and is produced from pyruvate.

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

A series of enzymatic reactions that oxidize Acetyl CoA to CO2, generating NADH, FADH2, and ATP.

Malate-Aspartate shuttle

A system that transfers high-energy electrons from cytosolic NADH into the mitochondria's NAD+.

Insulin

A hormone that signals tissues to uptake glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, promoting anabolic processes.

Glucagon

A hormone that promotes the conversion of stored glycogen into glucose in times of low blood sugar.

Gluconeogenesis (GNG)

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

High phosphoryl transfer potential

The energy stored in molecules that can facilitate the rapid transfer of a phosphoryl group, aiding ATP production.

Aerobic Glycolysis (Warburg Effect)

A phenomenon observed in cancer cells where they prefer to convert glucose to lactate even in the presence of oxygen.

Coenzyme A (CoA)

A cofactor involved in the transfer of acyl groups in metabolic reactions.

ATP

A high-energy currency molecule used by cells to store and transport energy.