Inquiry into Life
Inquiry into Life
15th Edition
ISBN: 9781259426162
Author: Sylvia S. Mader Dr., Michael Windelspecht
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
Question
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Chapter 19, Problem C7BYB
Summary Introduction

To discuss:

The biochemical pathways used by cells to produce ATP.

Introduction:

The metabolism of cells takes place through a series of biochemical reactions, which produces ATP as one of the products. These reactions generate the energy unit ATP, which powers other body functions.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Explanation of Solution

There are two major processes by which the metabolism takes place –catabolism and anabolism. Catabolism is breaking down of nutrients and anabolism is building up of macromolecules. ATP is generated by catabolic pathways. The pathways which generate ATP are:

  1. Glycolysis: Glucose is split into 3 C compound and ATP. The end products of this reaction are pyruvate/lactate and ATP. For every glucose molecule converted into two pyruvate/lactate, 2 ATP molecules are released.
  2. Pyruvate dehydrogenase: 3 carbon compound pyruvate is converted to acetate and carbon dioxide. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase which simultaneously converts ADP to ATP.
  3. Beta Oxidation: Fatty acid is broken down acetyl CoA, NADH and FADH. At every step, there is the release of carbon dioxide and energy in the form of ATP. Many units of ATP is released in this process.
  4. Oxidative phosphorylation: This is the ultimate powerhouse of ATP generation. In this process, the NADH and FADH generated in the above pathways react with oxygen to produce water and other end products. This leads to NADH and FADH to get converted to NAD and FAD respectively, at the same time phosphorylation of ADP to ATP takes place.
Conclusion

The above pathways may look independent but in reality, the byproduct of one is used in another. All these work together to generate the ATP in the body.

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Chapter 19 Solutions

Inquiry into Life

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