INTRODUCTION TO

METABOLISM
CHAPTER 10
METABOLIC PROCESSES
2 Categories:
a. CATABOLISM – refers to processes
related to the degradation of complex
molecules
b. ANABOLISM – refers to processes
involved in the synthesis of complex
organic molecules

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

3 STAGES OF METABOLISM:
STAGE 1 The interconversion of polymers and complex
compounds into monomeric intermediates

STAGE 2 The interconversion of monomeric sugars,

amino acids, and lipids into much simpler
compounds

STAGE 3 The ultimate degradation to or the synthesis

from inorganic compounds

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

 MITOCHONDRIAL COMPARTMENTATION
& SHUTTLE MECHANISMS
Malate-aspartate shuttle
For the conversion of pyruvate (or lactate) to PEP in gluconeogenesis

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

 MITOCHONDRIAL COMPARTMENTATION
& SHUTTLE MECHANISMS
Malate-oxaloacete-aspartate shuttle
For reducing equivalents, which is reversible (in heart & liver cells).

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

 MITOCHONDRIAL COMPARTMENTATION
& SHUTTLE MECHANISMS
Carnitine shuttle
For lipid metabolism

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

 BIOENERGETICS OF A CHEMICAL REACTION
BIOENERGETICS
The study of energy transformations that occur in living organisms,
and the exchange of energy between organisms and their
environment.

Free Energy (G)

A B

If GA > GB, then ΔG will be negative = spontaneous

If GA < GB, then ΔG will be positive = non-spontaneous

At equilibrium, ΔG = 0

ΔG' = -2.303 RT log keq

Where R = 1.99 cal/mole-degree
T = 25°C = 298 °K
CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM
 BIOENERGETICS OF A CHEMICAL REACTION
"Energy-rich compounds"
Supplies the energy necessary for biochemical reactions
Exhibit a large decrease in free energy (> -25 kJ/mole) when they
undergo hydrolysis

1. Pyrophosphate compounds
2. Acyl phosphates
3. Enolic phosphates
4. Thiol esters

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

 BIOENERGETICS OF A CHEMICAL REACTION

"Energy-rich compounds"
1. Pyrophosphate Compounds
• At ph 7, ATP and ADP have a net charge of –4 and –3
respectively.

ATP ADP
CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM
 BIOENERGETICS OF A CHEMICAL REACTION

"Energy-rich compounds"
1. Pyrophosphate Compounds
2 ways of hydrolyzing ATP:
a. Orthophosphate cleavage
ATP + H2O → ADP + Pi + H+ ΔG' = - 7300 cal/mole
ADP + HOH → AMP + Pi + H+ ΔG' = - 6500 cal/mole
AMP + HOH → adenosine + Pi ΔG' = - 2200 cal/mole

b. Pyrophosphate cleavage
ATP + H2O → AMP + PPi + 2 H+ ΔG' = - 8600 cal/mole

pyrophosphatase
PPi + HOH 2 Pi ΔG' = - 8000 cal/mole

Glucose 6-P + HOH → glucose + Pi ΔG' = - 3300 cal/mole

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

 BIOENERGETICS OF A CHEMICAL REACTION

"Energy-rich compounds"
2. Acyl phosphates
Factors that contribute to the large ΔG' are as follows:
a. Bond strain
b. Ionization of hydrogens at ph7

General structure of an acyl phosphate

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

 BIOENERGETICS OF A CHEMICAL REACTION

"Energy-rich compounds"
3. Enolic phosphates

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

 BIOENERGETICS OF A CHEMICAL REACTION

"Energy-rich compounds"
3. Thiol esters

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

 BIOENERGETICS OF A CHEMICAL REACTION

SUMMARY:
Large decrease in ΔG' occurs during hydrolysis due to
a. Unstable reactants because of the presence of dipositive centers
close to each other and structural features that oppose resonance
b. Significantly more stable products due to ionization, isomerization,
and resonance

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

 ELECTRON TRANSPORT SCHEME (ETS) AND
OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION
Respiratory Chain
"Aerobic phase" of carbohydrate metabolism
This cycle involves the oxidation of pyruvate, acetyl CoA, and other
oxidizable substrates to O2 with the production of ATP from ADP.

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

ELECTRON TRANSPORT SCHEME (ETS) SITE

Outer membrane

Inner membrane

Cristae

Matrix

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

ELECTRON TRANSPORT SCHEME (ETS) SITE

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

 ELECTRON TRANSPORT SCHEME (ETS)
COMPONENTS
NICOTINAMIDE NUCLEOTIDES
Remove 2 hydrogen atoms from the substrates

FLAVOPROTEINS

NON-HEME PROTEINS
Release H2S on acidification, a treatment which also removes the Fe

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM

 ELECTRON TRANSPORT SCHEME (ETS)
COMPONENTS
QUINONES-UBIQUINONE
Ubiquinone: when n=10, is called Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 and is
easily solubilized in the inner mitochondrial membrane
Serves as additional electron carrier between flavoproteins and the
cytochromes.

CYTOCHROMES are cell pigments which are conjugated proteins

with iron porphyrin as prosthetic group.

CHAPTER 10: INTRODUCTION TO METABOLISM