Metabolism

Task 1

Complete the following passage by selecting the most appropriate words from the list below.
Some words may be used more than once or not at all.

Metabolism is the sum of all of the ............... reactions that happen in a living ................ .
These reactions include .................... of food, aerobic and anaerobic ...........................
and protein ........................ . In plants, ........................... also includes photosynthesis.
Most of these reactions are controlled by .............................. .

enzymes anabolic breathing digestion synthesis respiration

metabolism plant eating reactions chemical organism

Task 2

Breakdown metabolic reactions result in smaller, less complicated molecules. Other reactions
make larger, more complex molecules. These are synthesis reactions and use energy from
respiration.

Complete the table to classify the reactions listed below as ‘breakdown’ or ‘synthesis’ reactions.

Breakdown reactions Synthesis reactions

1. In plants, glucose molecules are joined 6. Glycerol and fatty acids are produced
together to form starch. from the breakdown of lipids.

2. Proteins are digested into amino acids.
3. Amino acids are formed from glucose and
nitrate ions.
4. Glucose is used in respiration to release
energy.
5. Starch is broken down into glucose.
7. Glucose is converted into glycogen to be
stored in animal cells as an energy
source.
8. Plant cells make cellulose for their cell
walls from simple sugars.
9. In animals, excess amino acids are
converted into urea in the liver and
excreted via the kidneys.

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 Metabolism
Task 3

Answer the following multiple choice questions by selecting the most appropriate answer.

1. Which of the following molecules would not be found inside plant cells?

a. starch b. cellulose c. glycogen d. glucose

2. What are the correct products of the digestion of a lipid molecule?

a. 1 fatty acid and 1 glycerol molecule b. 3 fatty acids and 1 glycerol molecule

c. 3 glycerol molecules and 3 fatty acids d. 3 glycerol molecules and 1 fatty acid

3. Which of the following is not a correct example of how energy from respiration is used by an
organism?

a. synthesis b. active c. to maintain body d. diffusion

reactions transport temperature

4. Which of the following molecules is not formed in a synthesis reaction from glucose?

a. cellulose b. protein c. glycogen d. starch

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 Metabolism
Answers

Task 1

Metabolism is the sum of all of the chemical reactions that happen in a living organism. These
reactions include digestion of food, aerobic and anaerobic respiration and protein synthesis. In
plants, metabolism also includes photosynthesis. Most of these reactions are controlled by
enzymes.

Task 2

Breakdown reactions Synthesis reactions

In plants, glucose molecules are joined

Proteins are digested into amino acids.
together to form starch.

Glucose is used in respiration to release Amino acids are formed from glucose and
energy. nitrate ions.

Glucose is converted into glycogen to be

Starch is broken down into glucose.
stored in animal cells as an energy source.

Glycerol and fatty acids are produced from Plant cells make cellulose for their cell walls
the breakdown of lipids. from simple sugars.

In animals, excess amino acids are converted

into urea to be excreted via the kidneys.

Task 3

1. c

2. b

3. d

4. b

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