Unit 2

Metabolism describes the sum total of

the physical & chemical processes by
which cell components transform
matter & energy needed to sustain life
Cells, metabolism & regulation

Metabolism

Introduction to Metabolism
While watching the video:
Define metabolism
What are the 2 chemical processes?
Define both chemical processes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=fR3NxCR9z2U

Metabolism
Metabolism is the total of all the
chemical processes that take place in
the body.
These chemical processes convert
the food you eat into the energy and
materials needed for all life
processes.

Inputs and outputs

O2
CO2

H2O
Nutrients

M
et
ab
ol
is

Metabolic
wastes
(e.g. urea)
H2O, salts

Anabolism & catabolism

Metabolic processes can be
regarded as either anabolic or
catabolic.

Catabolism
Catabolic reactions are destructive
metabolic processes during which
complex substances are broken down
into simpler ones.
Catabolic processes release energy.
Cellular respiration is a good
example of a catabolic process.

Cellular respiration
Summary equation
glucose + oxygen > water + carbon dioxide
6C6H12O6 + 6O2 > 6H2O + 6CO2

Where?

Outer
Inner
membrane membrane
(cristae)

The first stage of

cellular respiration
(the anaerobic
stage) takes place
in the cytoplasm
The aerobic
stages takes place
in the
mitochondria

ATP
ATP = adenosine triphosphate
Energy is stored in cells as ATP.

Biological uses of energy

60-80% of the energy produced by the
breakdown of ATP is heat energy,
which maintains body temperature.
The remaining energy is used for
important biological processes such
as:

 muscle contraction
active transport across cell
membranes
synthesis of large molecules needed
for growth and repair
transmission of nerve impulses
cell division
cellular activities such as the
movement of substances in the cell.

Anabolism
Anabolic reactions construct
complex substances from simpler
ones.
Anabolic processes use energy.
Protein synthesis is an example
of an anabolic process.

Protein synthesis
Cys
Pr o

Glu

Cys
Glu

His

Met

His

Phe

Proteins are long chains of amino

acids.
There are 20 common amino acids.

 Instruction for the assembly of

proteins (the number and
sequence of the amino acids) is
carried by DNA in the cell nucleus
Ribosomes are protein
construction sites.

Amino acids and proteins

Model of the protein

interferon

Model of the amino

acid, cystine

Most ribosomes line the endoplasmic reticulum

(some float free in the cytosol)
Cytosol
Endoplasmic
reticulum
Ribosomes

Ribosomes are made of RNA and consist

of a large sub-unit and small sub-unit.

Small
sub-unit

Amino
acids

Protein
Large
sub-unit

Metabolic rate
Can be measured by the use of oxygen as
respiration is the only reaction in cells that
uses oxygen & it is the only reaction to
release useable energy for the cell

Basal metabolic rate - BMR

The smallest amount of energy
that can sustain life
(i.e. amount of energy needed to
keep the body functioning at rest)