Metabolic Regulation Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to metabolic regulation and energy processes in cellular metabolism.

Metabolism

The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms, encompassing both catabolism and anabolism.

Catabolism

The metabolic pathway that breaks down molecules into smaller units to release energy.

Anabolism

The metabolic pathway that constructs molecules from smaller units, typically requiring energy.

Glycolysis

The process of breaking down glucose to pyruvate, occurring in the cytosol.

Citric Acid Cycle

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

Acetyl-CoA

A central molecule in metabolism that can be derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process by which ATP is produced from the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis in the mitochondria.

Glycogenolysis

The metabolic process of breaking down glycogen into glucose-6-phosphate.

Gluconeogenesis

The synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, such as pyruvate or lactate.

β-oxidation

The catabolic process by which fatty acid molecules are broken down in the mitochondria to generate acetyl-CoA.

Hormonal Regulation

Control of metabolic processes through hormones that signal enzymes to increase or decrease reactions.

Feedback regulation

A mechanism where the output of a pathway inhibits or stimulates the pathway, maintaining homeostasis.

Triacylglycerols

A type of fat (lipid) found in your blood, composed of glycerol and three fatty acids.

Lipid Hydrolysis

The biochemical process that breaks down lipids into glycerol and fatty acids, primarily occurring by the action of lipases.

Intense Workouts

High-energy physical activities that can trigger gluconeogenesis, particularly when oxygen levels are low.

Energy Reserves

Stored forms of energy in the body, primarily as glycogen in muscles and liver, and as fat in adipose tissue.