Metabolism and the laws of

thermodynamics
 METABOLISM
Metabolism is the process by which
nutrients (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, and
fats) are converted into energy and
building blocks for growth, repair, and
other physiological processes in living
organisms.
Laws of Thermodynamics
 First Law of Thermodynamics

• Also known as the law of conservation of energy.

• States that energy cannot be created or destroyed, can only
change forms or be transferred from one system to another.
• In the context of metabolism, this means that the energy we
obtain from food is not created by our bodies but rather
transformed from one form to another.
 Second Law of Thermodynamics

• The second law of thermodynamics states that

in any closed system, the total entropy (or
disorder) tends to increase over time.
• In the context of metabolism, this law implies
that energy transformations always result in
increased disorder or entropy.
Metabolic Processes
 Glycolysis
• The first step of glucose breakdown and
occurs in the cytoplasm of cells.

• During glycolysis, glucose is transformed

into pyruvate while producing a small
amount of ATP and electron carriers.
 The Krebs cycle
It involves a series of reactions
Also known as the that further break down
citric acid cycle, glucose and produce energy-
rich electron carriers (NADH
takes place in the
and FADH2) as well as a small
mitochondria. amount of ATP.
 oxidative phosphorylation

• Occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane and involves

the transfer of electrons from NADH and FADH2 to the
electron transport chain.
• This process generates a large amount of ATP through
chemiosmosis, which is the movement of protons across
the membrane.
Energy Flow in
Metabolism
 ATP
(Adenosine Triphosphate)

• Also commonly referred to as the cell's "energy

currency".
• ATP serves as a portable form of energy that can
be readily used by cells to power various
biological processes.
 EXAMPLES

• ATP is utilized in muscle cells to enable muscle

contractions during physical activity.
• ATP is also required for active transport processes
across cell membranes, such as the movement of
ions or molecules against their concentration
gradient.
Thank
You