Metabolic Processes

What is Metabolism?

“Metabolism refers to a series of chemical reactions that occur in a living organism to sustain life.”

Metabolism is the total amount of the biochemical reactions involved in maintaining the living condition
of the cells in an organism. All living organisms require energy for different essential processes and for
producing new organic substances.

The metabolic processes help in growth and reproduction and help in maintaining the structures of
living organisms. The organisms respond to the surrounding environment due to metabolic activities. All
the chemical reactions occurring in the living organisms from digestion to transportation of substances
from cell to cell require energy.

Metabolic Process

There are two types of metabolic process:

-Catabolism

-Anabolism

Catabolism – This process is mainly involved in breaking down larger organic molecules into smaller
molecules. This metabolic process releases energy. (EXERGONIC ENERGY)
Anabolism – This process is mainly involved in building up or synthesizing compounds from simpler
substances required by the cells. This metabolic process requires and stores energy.(ENDERGONIC
ENERGY)

ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the energy currency for cellular processes. ATP provides the energy for
both energy-consuming endergonic reactions and energy-releasing exergonic reactions, which require a
small input of activation energy. When the chemical bonds within ATP are broken, energy is released
and can be harnessed for cellular work. The more bonds in a molecule, the more potential energy it
contains. Because the bond in ATP is so easily broken and reformed, ATP is like a rechargeable battery
that powers cellular process ranging from DNA replication to protein synthesis.

ADP- a nucleotide C10H15N5O10P2 composed of adenosine and two phosphate groups that is formed in
living cells as an intermediate between ATP and AMP and that is reversibly converted to ATP for the
storing of energy by the addition of a high-energy phosphate group. — called also adenosine
diphosphate.

Metabolism is related to nutrition and the existence of nutrients. Bioenergetics describes the
metabolism as the biochemical pathway through which the cells obtain energy. One of the major
aspects is the energy formation.

Nutrition and Energy

The processes of metabolism depend on the nutrients that get digested to produce energy. This energy
is necessary to synthesize nucleic acids, proteins and other biomolecules in our body.

Encompassed nutrients include various substances for the body requirements which are either in the
sufficient amount or insufficient, resulting in poor health, concerning metabolism.
Necessary nutrients help by supplying the required energy and other necessary chemicals that the body
cannot synthesize on its own. Food provides different substances that are essential for the bodybuilding
and repairing of tissues along with the proper functioning of the body.

The diet requires both organic nutrients and inorganic chemical compounds.

Organic nutrients include fats, vitamins, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Inorganic chemical compounds include oxygen, water, and other dietary minerals.

Carbohydrates in Metabolism

Carbohydrates are supplied in three forms:

-Starch

-Sugar

-Cellulose

Starch and sugar are the major forms of energy for humans. Metabolism of carbohydrates and sugar
helps in the production of glucose.

Proteins in Metabolism

Proteins are important for building tissues. They help in maintaining the structure of the cells, its
functions, the formation of haemoglobin, and several other body functions. The amino acids of proteins
are beneficial for nutrition. Few amino acids are not synthesized by the body and are taken in from the
food we eat. These amino acids include:

Lysine

Tryptophan

Methionine

Isoleucine

Leucine

Phenylalanine

Valine

Threonine

How to Increase Metabolism?

Metabolism can be increased by:

To be fit and healthy, we need to avoid more calories intake and lose extra pounds. We eat to deliver
energy for our body to perform its functions. Eating too little quantities could slow down our
metabolism and body cannot provide essential minerals. As per the research, extreme dieting leads to
weight loss which is muscle mass and not fat mass.

Having proper breakfast, boost up the body’s metabolism and keeps us energetic throughout the day.
Skipping morning breakfast are more likely to have poor metabolic energy.

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and can activate our metabolism rate by 5 to 8 percent.

According to researchers, fibre can help in burning fat by 30 percent. People who include more fibre in
their diet remain fit and healthy.

Including more organic foods like peaches, bell peppers, celery, apples, lettuce, grapes can boost up the
metabolism rate in our body.