Metabolic Passageways
September 9, 2010 by Emma Deangela
Filed under Diets
Knowing metabolism and its function in the body system is ideal. However, you should also familiarize yourself with its two kinds:
1. Constructive – The process of developing complex substance from the basic ones. It’s also known as anabolism.
2. Destructive – The process of breaking down complex substance in order to create and discharge energy. This is somehow the opposite of anabolism.
Metabolic pathway is the series of chemical reaction involving the cells in our body system. The chemical is being modified in each of the passageway that the chemical pass by. You should be aware that in one cell there could be lots of metabolic pathways which are cause by various chemicals included in the process.
Below are just a few of the most known vital metabolic passageways:
* Glycolysis – the very first among metabolic pathways that has been discovered. It allows conversion of glucose into pyruvate which acts as the primary connection of various metabolic pathways.
* Citric acid cycle – Sir hans Adolf Krebs is the discoverer of citric acid cycle. This cycle functions to convert protein, fats and carbohydrates into body energy. It is sometimes called Kreb’s cycle.
* Oxidative Phosphorylation – this metabolic pathway is in charge of using the energy released in nutrients oxidation. This is the most effective way of releasing body energy. Moreover, there are scattered process of oxidative phosphorylation in the body system.
* Pentose phosphate pathway – this is responsible for producing Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) which is then responsible for producing free radicals which is essential in immune system.
* Urea cycle – this is a chemical reaction that usually happens inside the body particularly in the liver to produce urea which is later excreted in our urine.
* Fatty acid oxidation (-oxidation) – You should be aware of the importance of fatty acids in your body. It works the same with protein and carbohydrates. This metabolic pathway involves breaking down of fatty acids to discharge energy.
* Gluconeogenesis – this is responsible for glucose manufacturing inside your body. It’s also a metabolic pathway.
* Anaerobic respiration – this is the primary tools for bacteria that can exist in no oxygen environment. It’s one way of manufacturing energy without involving any oxygen in the method.
* HMG-CoA reductase – This plays an important role in creation of dimethylallyl pyrosphate (DMAPP) and Isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), which is responsible for the development of molecules that’s essential to other system. It is also known as meyalonate pathway.
* Porphyrin synthesis -D-aminolevulinic acid (dALA) is developed from this metabolic pathway which is cause by amino acid glycine with succinyl-CoA from and the citric acid cycle.
These metabolic pathways can occur to both living and non-living organisms. Glycolysis, citric acid cycle, oxidative phosporylation and anaerobic respiration is to living organisms while fatty acid oxidation, Gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate, urea cycle, HMG-CoA reductase pathway, and porphyrin synthesis is to non-living organisms.
Want to find out more about increase metabolism, then visit Emma Deangela’s site on how to choose the best metabolism boosting foods for your needs.














