1. Distinguish between metabolism, catabolism, and anabolism.

Metabolism - Chemical processes occurring throughout an organism to preserve life.

Catabolism - Simpler breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms along with
energy release; destructive metabolism.
Anabolism - Synthesis of complex molecules of energy storage in living organisms from
simpler ones; constructive metabolism.

2. What are the different chemical reactions that undergo catabolic and anabolic
reactions? Describe the process of each.

Catabolic reactions give out energy. They are exergonic. In a catabolic reaction large
molecules are broken down into smaller ones. For example, the reverse of the
condensation reactions described above, i.e. hydrolysis reactions, are catabolic.

A simple example of a catabolic reaction that occurs in cells is the decomposition of

hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen:
2H2O2 --> 2H2O + O2

The conversion of glucose during respiration to produce carbon dioxide and water is
another common example:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + 6H2O

Anabolic reactions use up energy. They are endergonic. In an anabolic reaction small
molecules join to make larger ones.
For example, the following condensation reactions that occur in cells are anabolic:

amino acids join together to make dipeptides:

e.g. NH2CHRCOOH + NH2CHRCOOH --> NH2CHRCONHCHRCOOH + H2O and the process
continues as large protein molecules are built up

small sugar molecules join together to make dissacharides:

e.g. C6H12O6 + C6H12O6 --> C12H22O11 + H2O
and the process continues as large polysaccharide molecules are built up

glycerol reacts with fatty acids to make lipids:

e.g. CH2OHCH(OH)CH2OH + C17H35COOH --> CH2OHCH(OH)CH2OOCC17H35
and the process continues as the trigyleride is produced via similar reactions with the
other two hydroxyl groups of the glycerol molecule

during photosynthesis carbon dioxide and water are used to produce glucose and
oxygen: e.g. 6CO2 + 6H2O --> C6H12O6 + 6O2
3. What are enzymes? Give their roles in metabolism.
Enzymes are biological molecules (typically proteins) that significantly speed up the rate
of virtually all of the chemical reactions that take place within cells. They are vital for life
and serve a wide range of important functions in the body, such as aiding in digestion and
metabolism.

Some enzymes help break down large molecules of nutrients into smaller molecules, such
as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. This process occurs in the stomach and intestines of
animals during the ingestion of meat. Other enzymes lead the smaller, broken-down
molecules into the bloodstream through the intestinal wall. Other enzymes still
encourage the formation of large, complex molecules from the small, simple ones for the
production of cellular constituents. Enzymes are also responsible for many other
functions, including energy storage and release, the course of reproduction, respiration
processes, and vision. They're vital to life.

4. Explain the process of glycolysis, noting the role of ATP in the chemical reactions.
The process of releasing energy into sugars is glycolysis, which translates into "splitting
sugars." A six-carbon sugar called glucose is separated into two molecules of a three-
carbon sugar called pyruvate in glycolysis. This multi-stage process produces two free-
energy ATP molecules, two pyruvate molecules, two high-energy, NADH molecules
carrying electron, and two water molecules.