Metabolic Processes and Nutrient Utilization

This set of flashcards covers essential vocabulary and key metabolic concepts related to nutrient utilization, metabolic pathways, and the regulation of energy within the body.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds that serve as an energy source; they can also be parts of molecules and serve as receptors.

Lipids

Fatty molecules that serve as an energy source, components of cell membranes, hormones, and chemical signals.

Proteins

Polymers made of amino acids that perform various functions including structural roles, catalyzing metabolic reactions, and acting as chemical signals.

Vitamins

Organic molecules that act as coenzymes and chemical signals necessary for various metabolic processes.

Minerals

Inorganic elements that influence membrane potential, structure, function as coenzymes, and act as buffers.

Metabolism

The total of all chemical reactions occurring within the body, including catabolism and anabolism.

Catabolism

The set of metabolic processes that break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.

Anabolism

The set of metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units, utilizing energy.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, generating a small amount of ATP and NADH in the process.

Krebs Cycle

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

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons and pump protons to create a proton gradient for ATP synthesis.

Chemiosmosis

The movement of protons down their concentration gradient across a membrane to synthesize ATP.

Beta-oxidation

The metabolic process by which fatty acids are broken down in the mitochondria to generate acetyl-CoA.

Lipogenesis

The process of synthesizing fatty acids from carbohydrates when there is an excess of glucose.

Glycogenesis

The conversion of glucose into glycogen for storage.

Deamination

The process of removing the amine group from an amino acid, resulting in the formation of ammonia and a-keto acid.

Urea Cycle

The metabolic pathway that converts toxic ammonia into urea for excretion.

Leptin

A hormone produced by adipose tissue that helps regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger.