First Capital University of Bangladesh, Chuadanga.

Course Title:Metabolism and human nutrition

Course Code:BCHEM-231

Assignment On

Topic Name:Carbohydrate metabolism.

Submitted By
Name: Md Ismail Hossion
ID No: 19133361(4)602
Semester: 3rd
Batch No: 13th
Department of Agriculture.
First Capital University of
Bangladesh, Chuadanga.
Submitted To
MD.MIZANUR RAHMAN
LECTURER,
Department of Agriculture.
First Capital University of
Bangladesh, Chuadanga.
 Carbohydrate metabolism

Carbohydrates are organic molecules composed of

carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. The family of
carbohydrates includes both simple and complex sugars.
Glucose and fructose are examples of simple sugars, and
starch, glycogen, and cellulose are all examples of
complex sugars. The complex sugars are also
called polysaccharides and are made of
multiple monosaccharide molecules. Polysaccharides
serve as energy storage (e.g., starch and glycogen) and
as structural components (e.g., chitin in insects and
cellulose in plants).
During digestion, carbohydrates are broken down into
simple, soluble sugars that can be transported across the
intestinal wall into the circulatory system to be transported
throughout the body. Carbohydrate digestion begins in the
mouth with the action of salivary amylase on starches and
ends with monosaccharides being absorbed across the
epithelium of the small intestine. Once the absorbed
monosaccharides are transported to the tissues, the
process of cellular respiration begins (Figure 1). This
section will focus first on glycolysis, a process where the
monosaccharide glucose is oxidized, releasing the energy
stored in its bonds to produce ATP.
Figure 1. Cellular respiration oxidizes glucose molecules through glycolysis, the Krebs
cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation to produce ATP.

Carbohydrate metabolism is the whole of

the biochemical processes responsible for the
metabolic formation, breakdown, and interconversion
of carbohydrates in livingorganisms.
Carbohydrates are central to many essential metabolic
pathways.[1] Plants synthesize carbohydrates from carbon
dioxide and water through photosynthesis, allowing them
to store energy absorbed from the sunlight internally.
[2]
 When animals and fungi consume plants, they
use cellular respiration to break down these stored
carbohydrates to make energy available to cells.[2] Both
animals and plants temporarily store the released energy
in the form of high-energy molecules, such as ATP, for
use in various cellular processes.[3]
Although humans consume a variety of
carbohydrates, digestion breaks down complex
carbohydrates into a few
simple monomers (monosaccharides) for
metabolism: glucose,fructose, and galactose.[4] Glucose
constitutes about 80% of the products and is the primary
structure that is distributed to cells in the tissues, where it
is broken down or stored asglycogen.[3][4] In aerobic
respiration, the main form of cellular respiration used by
humans, glucose and oxygen are metabolized to release
energy, with carbon dioxide and wateras byproducts.
[2]
 Most of the fructose and galactose travel to the liver,
where they can be converted to glucose.[4]
Some simple carbohydrates have their own enzymatic
oxidation pathways, as do only a few of the more complex
carbohydrates. The disaccharide lactose, for instance,
requires the enzyme lactase to be broken into its
monosaccharide components, glucose and galactose.
Glycolysis
Glycolysis is the process of breaking down a glucose
molecule into two pyruvate molecules, while storing
energy released during this process as ATP and NADH.
[2]
 Nearly all organisms that break down glucose utilize
glycolysis.[2] Glucose regulation and product use are the
primary categories in which these pathways differ between
organisms.[2] In some tissues and organisms, glycolysis is
the sole method of energy production.[2] This pathway is
common to both anaerobic and aerobic respiration. [1]
Glycolysis consists of ten steps, split into two phases.
[2]
 During the first phase, it requires the breakdown of two
ATP molecules.[1] During the second phase, chemical
energy from the intermediates is transferred into ATP and
NADH.[2] The breakdown of one molecule of glucose
results in two molecules of pyruvate, which can be further
oxidized to access more energy in later processes.[1]
Glycolysis can be regulated at different steps of the
process through feedback regulation. The step that is
regulated the most is the third step. This regulation is to
ensure that the body is not over-producing pyruvate
molecules. The regulation also allows for the storage of
glucose molecules into fatty acids.  There are various
enzymes that are used throughout glycolysis. The
enzymes are what help upregulate, downregulate,
and feedback regulate the process.
Krebs Cycle:
Kreb’s Cycle is the central metabolic cycle of the Carbohydrate
metabolism and all metabolic pathways. There are many
compounds that are formed and recycled during the Krebs
Cycle (Citirc Acid Cycle). These include oxidized forms
of Nictotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and Flavin
adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and their reduced
counterparts: NADH and FADH2. NAD+ and FAD are electron
acceptors and become reduced while the substrates in the Krebs
Cycle become oxidized and surrender their electrons.
The Krebs Cycle begins when the pyruvate formed in the
cytoplasm of the cell during glycolysis is transferred to the
mitochondria, where most of the energy inherent in glucose is
extracted. In the mitochondria, pyruvate is converted toacetyl
CoA by the enzyme pyruvate carboxlase.
In general, Acetyl-CoA condenses with a four carbon compound
called oxaloacetate to form a six carbon acid. This six-carbon
compound is degraded to a five and four carbon compound,
releasing two molecules of carbon dioxide. At the same time, two
molecules of NADH are formed.

Finally, the C-4 carbon skeleton undergoes three additional

reactions in which guanosine triphosphate (GTP), FADH2 and
NADH are formed, thereby regenerating oxaloacetate. FADH2 and
NADH are passed on to the electron transport chain (see below)
that is embedded in the inner mitochondria membrane.

 Citric acid cycle : Central metabolic cycle and its Significance

 Glycogenolysis : How Glycogen is Utilizing in Animals
  Glycogenesis : How to Synthesize Glycogen
Oxidative Phosphorylation / Electron
Transport Chain:
GTP is a high-energy compound that is used to regenerate ATP
from ADP. Therefore, the main purpose of the Krebs Cycle is to
provide high-energy electrons in the form of FADH2 and NADH to
be passed onward to the electron transport chain.

The high-energy electrons contained in NADH and FADH2 are

passed on to a series of enzyme complexes in the mitochondrial
membrane.

Three complexes work in sequence to harvest the energy in NADH

and FADH2 and convert it to ATP: NADH-Q reductase,
cytochrome reductase and cytochrome oxidase. The final electron
acceptor in the electron transport chain is oxygen. Each successive
complex is at lower energy than the former so that each can
accept electrons and effectively oxidize the higher energy species.

In effect, each complex harvests the energy in these electrons to

pump protons across the inner mitochondria membrane, thereby
creating a proton gradient. In turn, this electro-potential energy is
converted to chemical energy by allowing proton flux back down
its chemical gradient and through specific proton channels that
synthesize ATP from ADP.
 What is Mitochondria in Biological Sciences
 Electron Transport Chain Components in Mitochondria
 Electron Transport Chain Mechanism in Mitochondria
 Chemiosmotic Theory by ATP Synthase Complex
Approximately two molecules of ATP are produced during the
Kreb’s cycle reactions, while approximately 26 to 30 ATP are
generated by the electron transport chain. In summary, the
oxidation of glucose through the reduction of NAD+ and FADH is
coupled to the phosphorylation of ADP to produce ATP. Hence,
the process is known as oxidative phosphorylation .

Glycogenolysis

Glycogenolysis refers to the breakdown of glycogen.[7] In

the liver, muscles, and the kidney, this process occurs to
provide glucose when necessary. A single glucose
molecule is cleaved from a branch of glycogen, and is
transformed into glucose-1-phosphate during this process.
[1]
 This molecule can then be converted to glucose-6-
phosphate, anintermediate in the glycolysis pathway.[1]
Glucose-6-phosphate can then progress through
glycolysis.[1] Glycolysis only requires the input of one
molecule of ATP when the glucose originates in glycogen.
[1]
 Alternatively, glucose-6-phosphate can be converted
back into glucose in the liver and the kidneys, allowing it to
raise blood glucose levels if necessary.
Glucagon in the liver stimulates glycogenolysis when the
blood glucose is lowered, known as hypoglycemia. The
glycogen in the liver can function as a backup source of
glucose between meals. Adrenaline stimulates the
breakdown of glycogen in the skeletal muscle during
exercise. In the muscles, glycogen ensures a rapidly
accessible energy source for movement.

Glycogenesis
Glycogenesis refers to the process of synthesizing
glycogen.[7] In humans, excess glucose is converted to
glycogen via this process.[2] Glycogen is a highly branched
structure, consisting of glucose, in the form of glucose-6-
phosphate, linked together.[2][7] The branching of glycogen
increases its solubility, and allows for a higher number of
glucose molecules to be accessible for breakdown.
[2]
 Glycogenesis occurs primarily in the liver, skeletal
muscles, and kidney.[2] The Glycogenesis pathway
consumes energy, like most synthetic pathways, because
an ATP and a UTP are consumed for each molecule of
glucose introduced.

Pentose phosphate pathway

The pentose phosphate pathway is an alternative method
of oxidizing glucose.[7] It occurs in the liver, adipose tissue,
adrenal cortex, testis, milk glands, phagocyte cells, and
red blood cells.[7] It produces products that are used in
other cell processes, while reducing NADP to
NADPH. This pathway is regulated through changes in the
activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
Fructose metabolism
Fructose must undergo certain extra steps in order to
enter the glycolysis pathway.[2] Enzymes located in certain
tissues can add a phosphate group to fructose.[7] This
phosphorylation creates fructose-6-phosphate, an
intermediate in the glycolysis pathway that can be broken
down directly in those tissues.[7] This pathway occurs in the
muscles, adipose tissue, and kidney.[7] In the liver,
enzymes produce fructose-1-phosphate, which enters the
glycolysis pathway and is later cleaved into
glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone phosphate.

Galactose metabolism
Lactose, or milk sugar, consists of one molecule of
glucose and one molecule of galactose.[7] After separation
from glucose, galactose travels to the liver for conversion
to glucose.[7] Galactokinase uses one molecule of ATP to
phosphorylate galactose.[2] The phosphorylated galactose
is then converted to glucose-1-phosphate, and then
eventually glucose-6-phosphate, which can be broken
down in glycolysis.

Energy production
Many steps of carbohydrate metabolism allow the cells to
access energy and store it more transiently in ATP.[10] The
cofactors NAD+ and FAD are sometimes reduced during
this process to form NADH and FADH2, which drive the
creation of ATP in other processes.[10] A molecule of NADH
can produce 1.5–2.5 molecules of ATP, whereas a
molecule of FADH2 yields 1.5 molecules of ATP.

Energy produced during metabolism of one glucose

molecule

ATP
ATP ATP Net NADH
FADH2 outpu final
Pathway inpu outpu AT outpu
t yiel
t t P t
d

Glycolysi
s 2 4 2 2 0 5-7
(aerobic)
Citric-
17-
acid 0 2 2 8 2
25
cycle

Typically, the complete breakdown of one molecule of

glucose by aerobic respiration (i.e. involving both
glycolysis and the citric-acid cycle) is usually about 30–32
molecules of ATP. Oxidation of one gram of carbohydrate
yields approximately 4 kcal of energy.

Hormonal regulation
Glucoregulation is the maintenance of steady levels
of glucose in the body.
Hormones released from the pancreas regulate the overall
metabolism of glucose.[12] Insulin and glucagon are the
primary hormones involved in maintaining a steady level of
glucose in the blood, and the release of each is controlled
by the amount of nutrients currently available.[12] The
amount of insulin released in the blood and sensitivity of
the cells to the insulin both determine the amount of
glucose that cells break down.[4] Increased levels of
glucagon activates the enzymes that catalyze
glycogenolysis, and inhibits the enzymes that catalyze
glycogenesis.[10] Conversely, glycogenesis is enhanced
and glycogenolysis inhibited when there are high levels of
insulin in the blood.[10]
The level of circulatory glucose (known informally as
"blood sugar") is the most important factor determining the
amount of glucagon or insulin produced. The release of
glucagon is precipitated by low levels of blood glucose,
whereas high levels of blood glucose stimulates cells to
produce insulin. Because the level of circulatory glucose is
largely determined by the intake of dietary carbohydrates,
diet controls major aspects of metabolism via insulin.[13] In
humans, insulin is made by beta cells in the pancreas, fat
is stored inadipose tissue cells, and glycogen is both
stored and released as needed by liver cells. Regardless
of insulin levels, no glucose is released to the blood from
internal glycogen stores from muscle cells.

Carbohydrates as storage
Carbohydrates are typically stored as long polymers of
glucose molecules with glycosidic bonds for structural
support (e.g. chitin, cellulose) or for energy storage
(e.g. glycogen,starch). However, the strong affinity of most
carbohydrates for water makes storage of large quantities
of carbohydrates inefficient due to the large molecular
weight of the solvated water-carbohydrate complex. In
most organisms, excess carbohydrates are regularly
catabolised to form acetyl-CoA, which is a feed stock for
the fatty acid synthesispathway; fatty acids, triglycerides,
and other lipids are commonly used for long-term energy
storage. The hydrophobic character of lipids makes them
a much more compact form of energy storage than
hydrophilic carbohydrates. However, animals, including
humans, lack the necessary enzymatic machinery and so
do not synthesize glucose from lipids (with a few
exceptions, e.g. glycerol).
In some animals (such as termites) and some
microorganisms (such as protists and bacteria), cellulose
can be disassembled during digestion and absorbed as
glucose.

Anaerobic Respiration
When oxygen is limited or absent, pyruvate enters an
anaerobic pathway. In these reactions, pyruvate can be
converted into lactic acid. In addition to generating an
additional ATP, this pathway serves to keep the pyruvate
concentration low so glycolysis continues, and it oxidizes
NADH into the NAD+ needed by glycolysis. In this
reaction, lactic acid replaces oxygen as the final electron
acceptor. Anaerobic respiration occurs in most cells of the
body when oxygen is limited or mitochondria are absent or
nonfunctional. For example, because erythrocytes (red
blood cells) lack mitochondria, they must produce their
ATP from anaerobic respiration. This is an effective
pathway of ATP production for short periods of time,
ranging from seconds to a few minutes. The lactic acid
produced diffuses into the plasma and is carried to the
liver, where it is converted back into pyruvate or glucose
via the Cori cycle. Similarly, when a person exercises,
muscles use ATP faster than oxygen can be delivered to
them. They depend on glycolysis and lactic acid
production for rapid ATP production.
Aerobic Respiration
In the presence of oxygen, pyruvate can enter the Krebs
cycle where additional energy is extracted as electrons are
transferred from the pyruvate to the receptors NAD+,
GDP, and FAD, with carbon dioxide being a “waste
product” (Figure 3). The NADH and FADH2 pass electrons
on to the electron transport chain, which uses the
transferred energy to produce ATP. As the terminal step in
the electron transport chain, oxygen is the terminal
electron acceptor and creates water inside the
mitochondria.
Figure 3. Click to view a larger image. The process of
anaerobic respiration converts glucose into two lactate
molecules in the absence of oxygen or within erythrocytes
that lack mitochondria. During aerobic respiration, glucose
is oxidized into two pyruvate molecules.

Human diseases
 Diabetes mellitus
 Lactose intolerance
 Fructose malabsorption
 Galactosemia
 Glycogen storage disease