Metabolic Pathways

• Cell metabolism -

  the thousands of biochemical reactions taking place within a living cell.

  Most of these reactions are steps in a complex network of pathways and are catalysed by enzymes that help to control the pathways.
• Anabolic pathways require energy and are involved in the biosynthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules
• Catabolic pathways release energy and involve the breakdown of molecules
• In anabolic reactions enzymes bring the substrate molecules together.
• In catabolic reactions the enzyme active site affects the bonds in substrates so they are easier to break
• ATP plays a key role in transfer of the energy between anabolic & catabolic reactions.
• Anabolism and catabolism often depend on each other.