Important Concepts
Metabolism
Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions within living organisms. Metabolic pathways are a series of chemical reactions, where the product of one reaction is the substrate for the next reaction. Protein enzymes catalyze the chemical reactions to carryout to completion. Therefore all metabolic pathways present in living organisms depend on enzymes found within that organism. There are two types of process of metabolic reactions known catabolism and anabolism. Catabolism refers to chemical reactions that result in the breakdown of more complex organic molecules (or macromolecules) into smaller substrates. Anabolism refers to chemical reactions in which smaller substrates are combined to form more complex larger molecules. All the energy for chemical reactions is stored in ATP.
Reactions
Anabolic reactions: produce large molecules from smaller subunits
Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions within living organisms. Metabolic pathways are a series of chemical reactions, where the product of one reaction is the substrate for the next reaction. Protein enzymes catalyze the chemical reactions to carryout to completion. Therefore all metabolic pathways present in living organisms depend on enzymes found within that organism. There are two types of process of metabolic reactions known catabolism and anabolism. Catabolism refers to chemical reactions that result in the breakdown of more complex organic molecules (or macromolecules) into smaller substrates. Anabolism refers to chemical reactions in which smaller substrates are combined to form more complex larger molecules. All the energy for chemical reactions is stored in ATP.
Reactions
Anabolic reactions: produce large molecules from smaller subunits
- They include condensation reactions
- Water is removed through anabolic reactions
- They require energy to take place
- Activity building macromolecules below
Catabolic reactions: break macromolecules down into their individual subunits
- They include hydrolysis reactions
- Water is needed to complete these reactions
- These reactions release energy
Curriculum Links
B3.5 identify and describe the four main types of biochemical reactions (oxidation-reduction [redox], hydrolysis, condensation, and neutralization)
Misconceptions
- Some students think that H2O is only lost during the anabolic reaction between two monosaccharides. However water is a by-product of all anabolic reactions, including those forming lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. The activity below were students are building macromolecules is a great way to show the by-products of all anabolic reactions and what is required for catabolic reactions of macromolecules.
Activities and Teaching Strategies
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Assessment #1
Quiz surrounding carbon and hydrolysis/condensation reactions
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