CHAPTER 5: PROCESS OF METABOLISM

METABOLISM

 Is the chemical reaction involved in maintaining the living state of cells and
organisms
 Two categories: catabolism and anabolism

Catabolism
 The breakdown of molecules to obtain energy

Anabolism
 The synthesis of all compounds needed by the cells

Metabolism
 Is linked to nutrition and the availability of nutrients
 Bioenergetics describes the biochemical or metabolic pathways by which cell
ultimately obtains energy
 One of the vital components of metabolism is energy

Nutrition, Metabolism, and Energy

 Nutrition is the key to metabolism
 The pathways of metabolism rely upon the nutrients that they break down in
order to produce energy
 This energy in turn is required by the body to produce new proteins, nucleic acids
(DNA, RNA), among other nutrients
 Nutrients in relation to metabolism include bodily requirements for various
substances, individual functions of the body, amount needed, and the level below
w/c poor health results, among others
 Essential nutrients supply energy (calories) and provide the necessary chemicals
which the body itself cannot produce
 Food provides a variety of substances that are essential for the building, upkeep,
and repair of body tissues, and for the efficient functioning of the body
  The diet needs important nutrients like carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,
phosphorus, sulfur, and around 2o other inorganic elements
 The major elements are provided by carbohydrates, lipids, and protein
 In addition, vitamins, minerals, and water are essential

Carbohydrates in Metabolism
 3 forms of carbohydrates in food: starch, sugar, and cellulose (fiber)
 Starches and sugars are the major sources of energy for humans
 Fibers provide bulk in diet
 Body tissues rely on glucose for all activities
 Carbohydrates and sugars produce glucose by digestion or metabolism
 Overall reaction for the burning of glucose is written as C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 +
6H2O + energy
 Most people consume half of their diet from carbohydrates such as dairy, grains,
and starchy vegetables

Proteins in Metabolism
 Proteins are the main builders of the body
 It aids in cell structure functions and hemoglobin formation to carry oxygen and
enzymes in the execution of vital reactions and numerous other functions of the
body
 It also very important in supplying the nitrogen for DNA and RNA genetic material
and energy production
 It also needed for nutrition because they contain amino acids
 Among the 20 or more amino acids, the human body is unable to manufacture 8
which are called essential amino acids

Essential Amino Acids

 Lysine
 Tryptophan
 Methionine
 Leucine
 Isoleucine
 Phenylalanine
 Valine
 Threonine
Foods with high biologic value are:
 Eggs
 Milk
 Soybeans
 Meats
 Vegetables
 Grains

Fat in Metabolism
 Fats are concentrated sources of energy
 They create twice as much energy as either carbohydrates or protein on a weight
basis

Functions of Fats
 To help form the cellular structure
 To form a protective cushion and insulation around vital organs
 To help absorb fat soluble vitamins
 To provide a reserve storage for energy

Essential fatty acids

 Are unsaturated fatty acids that includes linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic
acids
 These are needed to be taken as part of one’s diet
 Saturated fats, along w/ cholesterol, have been implicated in arteriosclerosis and
heart disease

Minerals and Vitamins in Metabolism

 The minerals in foods do not contribute directly to energy needs but are
significant as body regulators and play a role in the metabolic pathways of the
body
 More than 50 elements are found in the human body
 About 25 elements are found to be essential, since a deficit produces specific
deficiency symptoms
Important minerals:
 Calcium
 Phosphorus
 Iron
 Sodium
 Potassium
 Chloride ions
 Copper
 Cobalt
 Manganese
 Zinc
 Magnesium
 Fluorine
 Iodine

Vitamins
 Are important organic compound that the human body cannot synthesize by itself
and must be present in the diet

Vitamins important in Metabolism:

 Vitamin A
 B2 (riboflavin)
 Niacin or nicotinic acid
 Pantothenic acid

Metabolic Pathways
 The chemical reactions of metabolism are structured into metabolic pathways
 These allow the basic chemicals from nutrition to be changed through a series of
steps into another chemical, by a sequence of enzymes
 Enzymes are vital to metabolism because they allow organisms to drive desirable
reactions that require energy
 These reactions are also coupled w/ those that released energy
 As enzymes act as catalysts, they permit these reactions to proceed efficiently
 Enzymes also allow the regulation of metabolic pathways in response to changes
in the cell’s environment or signals from other cells.