Types of Metabolic Reactions | Biology
Introduction
The introduction explains the concept of metabolism and how it is involved in building and breaking down molecules. It also introduces metabolic enzymes as catalysts that speed up reactions without being consumed during the process.
Metabolism and Metabolic Enzymes
- Metabolism is a process by which cells obtain energy from food and build the molecules required to carry out life processes.
- Metabolic enzymes are chemical agents that speed up reactions without being consumed during the process. They aid in metabolism and detoxification of substances in the body.
- Catalysts are specific to the reaction they catalyze, meaning each catalyst drives only a single process.
- There are two types of metabolic reactions: anabolic and catabolic. Anabolic reactions add energy to reactants to produce products, while catabolic reactions break down large molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy in the process.
Cellular Respiration
- An example of an anabolic reaction is synthesis of carbohydrates in plants or proteins in animals.
- An example of a catabolic reaction is cellular respiration, where chemical energy found in food is converted into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and waste products.