Chapter 22, Problem 1RQ

Define metabolic, anabolic, and catabolic pathways.

Summary Introduction

To determine: The definition of metabolic, anabolic, and catabolic pathways.

Introduction: Food and oxygen are the basic requirements to produce energy in the body. An individual’s daily need for energy is expressed in terms of calories. On an average, a man requires 2500 kcal/day and a woman requires 2000 kcal/day

Explanation of Solution

• Metabolic pathway: The sum of the chemical reaction taking place in the body constitutes a metabolic pathway. Metabolic pathway produces the energy from food material, utilize the energy to meet the body’s needs, and store the excess energy for later use. Metabolic pathways are of two types: the anabolic pathway and catabolic pathway.
• Anabolic pathway: Anabolic pathways are those pathways in which smaller molecules combine to synthesize larger molecules. For example, the synthesis of protein from amino acids, and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) from nucleotides.
• Catabolic pathway: Catabolic pathways are metabolic pathways in which larger molecules break down to produce smaller molecules. For example, the breakdown of glucose in the process of Glycolysis to generate pyruvate and ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Conclusion

The metabolic pathway involves all the chemical reactions occurring in the body. The anabolic pathway includes the formation of larger molecules from the smaller one. The catabolic reaction involves the breakdown of larger molecules to form smaller molecules.