Metabolism

  • Metabolism is some of the physical and chemical processes occuring with in living organisms . The molecules taking part in these reactions are termed metabolites.
  • Metabolic reactions characteristically occur in small steps, comprising a metabolic pathway.
  • Metabolic reactions involved the breaking down of molecules to provide energy (catabolism) and the building up of more Complex molecules and structures from simple molecules (anabolism).
  • Anabolism includes metabolic process by which Complex cellular compounds are continuously synthesized (bio- synthesis) from simpler compounds for growth, repair, secretion, storage and reproduction. Thus, it is the constructive phase of metabolism. It chiefly occurs in the cytosol .
  • Catabolism includes metabolic process by which large molecules are continuously broken down into simpler molecules releasing energy required for all cellular functions. Thus, it is the distructive to phase of metabolism. Its chief site of occurrence are mitochondria.
  • Catabolic process are energy releasing are exergonic .
  • Anabolic process are energy conserving or endergonic.
  • Metabolic reactions are catalyzed by enzymes in a highly integrated and finally controlled manner so that there is no overproduction or under utilization of the energy required to maintain life.
  • All energy required to maintain life is ultimately derived from sunlight by photosynthesis either directly or indirectly.
  • The energy is stored in most living organisms in a specific chemical compound ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
  • ATP can transfer its energy to other molecules by a loss of phosphate, later regaining phosphate from catabolic reactions.
  • Basal metabolic rate is a measure of the rate at which an animal at rest  uses energy
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