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Carbohydrate Metabolism: Key Stages

S-2-Biochemistry
2 min read

  • Carbohydrate metabolism involves the synthesis, breakdown, and transformation of carbohydrates, primarily for energy production.

Carbohydrate Metabolism
Here's a mind map illustrating the key stages of carbohydrate metabolism

1) Glycolysis

  • Location: Cytoplasm of the cells

  • Process: The conversion of glucose (a six-carbon molecule) into two molecules of pyruvate (three carbons each).

  • Energy Yield: 2 ATP (net gain) and 2 NADH per molecule of glucose.

  • Key Points: Glycolysis is an anaerobic process (does not require oxygen) and is the initial step in the utilization of glucose, providing substrates for further metabolic pathways.

2) Pyruvate Decarboxylation

  • Location: Mitochondria

  • Process: Conversion of pyruvate into acetyl CoA via the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

  • Outcome: Production of acetyl CoA, which is a critical intermediate that feeds into the citric acid cycle.

  • Significance: This step links glycolysis to the citric acid cycle and is crucial for aerobic respiration.

3) Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle or TCA Cycle)

  • Location: Mitochondrial matrix

  • Process: Acetyl CoA enters the cycle, undergoing a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions that produce NADH, FADH2, and GTP/ATP.

  • Energy Yield: Each acetyl CoA molecule results in 3 NADH, 1 FADH2, and 1 GTP (or ATP), contributing to significant ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation.

  • Role: Central metabolic pathway that generates high-energy electron carriers for the electron transport chain.

4) Electron Transport Chain (ETC) and Oxidative Phosphorylation

  • Location: Inner mitochondrial membrane

  • Process: Utilizes NADH and FADH2 to generate a proton gradient across the membrane, driving the synthesis of ATP through ATP synthase.

  • Energy Yield: The majority of ATP in cellular respiration is produced here, with approximately 34 ATP molecules generated per glucose molecule.

  • Mechanism: Electrons from NADH and FADH2 pass through a series of complexes, ultimately reducing oxygen to water.

5) Gluconeogenesis

  • Location: Mainly in the liver and to some extent in the kidneys

  • Process: Synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, such as lactate, glycerol, and amino acids.

  • Importance: Essential during fasting or prolonged exercise to maintain blood glucose levels

6) Glycogenesis and Glycogenolysis

  • Glycogenesis: The synthesis of glycogen from glucose, primarily occurring in the liver and muscle cells for energy storage.

  • Glycogenolysis: The breakdown of glycogen back into glucose, providing a rapid source of glucose when needed by the body.

  • Regulation: These processes are tightly regulated by hormones (e.g., insulin promotes glycogenesis, while glucagon stimulates glycogenolysis).

7) Pentose Phosphate Pathway (PPP)

  • Location: Cytoplasm

  • Process: An alternative glucose metabolic pathway that generates NADPH (for biosynthetic reactions and antioxidant defense) and ribose-5-phosphate (a precursor for nucleotide synthesis).

  • Significance: Provides essential components for fatty acid synthesis, nucleotide biosynthesis, and maintenance of reduced glutathione levels.

Regulation and Hormonal Control

  • Carbohydrate metabolism is intricately regulated by hormonal signals to maintain glucose homeostasis:

A) Insulin

  • Promotes glucose uptake by cells, glycogenesis, and the conversion of excess glucose into fatty acids.

B) Glucagon

  • Stimulates glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, raising blood glucose levels during fasting.


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