Unit 3106: Metabolic Pathways and Cellular Energy

1. Introduction to Metabolic Pathways

• Definition and significance of metabolic pathways
• Overview of catabolic and anabolic pathways
• How cells convert nutrients into energy and biomolecules
• Integration of metabolic pathways in growth, development, and maintenance

2. Enzymes in Metabolic Pathways

• Role of enzymes as biological catalysts
• Types of enzymes involved in metabolism (oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, etc.)
• Mechanisms of enzyme action and specificity
• Enzyme kinetics and factors affecting enzyme activity

3. ATP and Energy Currency

• Structure and properties of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
• ATP synthesis and hydrolysis
• Role of ATP in energy storage and transfer
• Coupling of ATP hydrolysis to cellular processes

4. Glycolysis

• Overview of glycolysis as the initial step of glucose metabolism
• Detailed reactions of the glycolytic pathway
  • Energy investment phase
  • Energy payoff phase
• Production of ATP and NADH
• Fate of pyruvate: aerobic vs anaerobic conditions

5. Citric Acid Cycle (Kreb's Cycle)

• Role in oxidation of acetyl-CoA
• Stepwise reactions of the citric acid cycle
• Generation of reducing equivalents (NADH, FADH2)
• Production of GTP/ATP
• Importance in intermediary metabolism

6. Oxidative Phosphorylation

• Overview of cellular respiration final stage
• Components of the electron transport chain
• Mechanism of electron transfer and proton pumping
• ATP synthase function and ATP generation
• Chemiosmosis and proton motive force

7. Gluconeogenesis

• Definition and importance of gluconeogenesis
• Key substrates and their sources
• Major enzymes involved and differences from glycolysis
• Regulation and physiological significance

8. Lipid Metabolism

• Overview of lipid classes and their functions
• Lipolysis: breakdown of triglycerides
• Fatty acid β-oxidation pathway
• Fatty acid synthesis pathway
• Role of lipids in energy storage and membrane structure

9. Amino Acid Metabolism

• Catabolic pathways for amino acid degradation
• Anabolic pathways for amino acid biosynthesis
• Nitrogen metabolism and urea cycle
• Importance of amino acids in protein synthesis and cellular function

10. Regulation of Metabolic Pathways

• Principles of metabolic regulation
• Feedback inhibition and allosteric regulation
• Hormonal regulation (insulin, glucagon, epinephrine)
• Role of signaling pathways in metabolic homeostasis
• Integration of metabolic control at cellular and systemic levels