All About Hypothyroidism

Metabolism is of all the chemical reactions involved in maintaining the living state of cells and organisms. The process of metabolism allows organisms to grow, produce and develop. Metabolism can be separated in two categories:

• Catabolism – the breakdown of molecules to obtain energy by cellular respiration

• Anabolism – the use of energy to produce components of cells such as proteins and nucleic acids

 

The process of metabolism can be broke down in metabolic pathways. Metabolic pathways allow chemicals to be transformed through a series of steps with the help of enzymes and activation energy. The formation of energy is very vital component of metabolism.

 

Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration is an example of a catabolic metabolic pathway by which cells extracts energy from food molecules in the presences of oxygen. This process results into formation of adenine triphosphate (ATP), the universal energy currency. Our bodies use the energy from glucose along with carbohydrates, fats and proteins to refuel the process of cellular respiration.

 

Cellular respiration goes through a series of 4 stages to produce adenine triphosphate. The stages include:

• Glycolysis

• Pyruvate Oxidation

• Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

• Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

 

Glycolysis is an anaerobic pathway that occurs in the cytoplasm of cells. Glycolysis breaks down glucose into 2 pyruvate molecules.

 

Pyruvate Oxidation occurs in the matrix where pyruvate converts in acetyl-CoA releasing carbon dioxide.

 

Kerbs Cycle occurs in mitochondrial matrix. Acetyl-CoA is oxidized to carbon dioxide while ATP is released along with coenzymes that will later convert to energy.

 

Electron Transport Chain occurs the mitochondrial membrane. The ETC used high energy molecules to convert coenzymes (NADH2 and FADH2) to create an electrochemical gradient to operate ATP synthesis.

At the end of cellular respiration, one produces an average of 36 ATPs. This process is occurring at this very moment to provide energy for your body.

 

More on ATP

Adenine triphosphate, ATP is the energy carrying molecule found in the cells of all living things. ATP extracts chemical energy from the breakdown of food molecules and releases fuel for other processes of the body. ATP is a nucleotide that consists of nitrogenous base, adenine; a ribose sugar and chain of three phosphate. ATP is continuously breakdown to obtain energy but is also constant being synthesized through the phosphorylation of ADP to ensure the on-going process of cellular respiration.