Lecture 14

Introduction to Metabolism
Horton Chapters 10.1 & 10.3

Instructor: Markus Ribbe (mribbe@uci.edu) Office: 2236 McGaugh Hall Office hours: Mon 12:00-1:00 pm

Metabolism
Metabolism - sum of all chemical/cellular reactions in the cell Two stages: Catabolism - breaks down large molecules to small - releases ENERGY to do work Anabolism: - synthesis of large molecules from small precursors - synthesis of cell compounds for cell maintenance, growth and reproduction - requires ENERGY

Phototrophs versus Chemotrophs

Phototroph Chemotroph Chemotroph

Sources of ENERGY

Autotrophs versus Heterotrophs

Sources of CARBON

Food

Food
Making of macromolecules Break down food into energy

.in light of Food

Use NADPH FADH2

Use NAD FAD

Acetyl-CoA lies at the center of the metabolic map

Fats

Sugars

Proteins

Food breakdown

Making of biomolecules

Making of ATP

Stages of Catabolism
Stage 1: Larger Nutrient are broken down
Polymers Proteins Carbohydrates Lipids Monomers Amino Acids Simple Sugars Fatty Acids + Glycerol

No energy release

Stages of Catabolism
Stage 2:
Monomer units Acetyl

CoA

Synthesis of some ATP, NADH and/or FADH2

Stages of Catabolism
Stage 3:
Complete oxidation of molecules to CO2, ATP, NADH and FADH2 TCA cycle & Electron transport / Oxidative phosphorylation

Three Stages of Catabolism

Making of macromolecules

Break down food into energy

Principles Governing Biosynthesis

Macromolecules are synthesized from limited number of simple structural units (monomers) saves genetic storage capacity, biosynthetic raw material, and energy

many enzymes used for both catabolism and anabolism saves materials and energy

More principles

Catabolic and anabolic pathways are not identical, despite sharing many enzymes permits independent regulation

More principles
A hypothetical biosynthetic pathway
Purely anabolic Only used for synthesis of endproducts Catabolic & anabolic functions Amphibolic

Intraconversion of C & D is catalyzed by two separate enzymes E1 (catabolic) & E2 (anabolic)

Chemical Reactions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Oxidation-reduction Making or breaking C-C bonds Isomerization or elimination Group transfer Free radical

Always ask following questions: 1. How many carbons? 2. What happened? (One of the above five)

Major chemical players in metabolism

Consist only C and H Atoms are linked by single bonds Hydroxyl group (-OH) bound to C of an alkyl group

Compound containing a terminal carbonyl group (C bonded to a H and double-bonded O)

Presence of a carboxyl group (-COOH or -CO2H)

1. Oxidation/reduction
Oxidation: Alcohol COH ketone or aldehyde C=O acid base COO-

Reduction Carbon number is the same, but oxidation changes

Note: Oxidation produces NADH during catabolism and NADPH during anabolism

Simplified Definition (often sufficient): Oxidation: Loss of electrons/hydrogen or Gain of oxygen/increase in oxidation state Reduction: Gain of electrons/hydrogen Or Loss of oxygen/decrease in oxidation state

Better Definition (Because electron transfer may not occur!): Oxidation: Increase in oxidation number Reduction: Decrease in oxidation number

2. Making or breaking C-C bond

2C + 1C 3C

3C 2C + CO2

3. Isomerization

Switched position

4. Group Transfer
(transfer of a chemical group, such as a phosphate or amine, from one molecule to another)

Gets a phosphate