Metabolism

• Metabolic pathways involve a series of reactions catalyzed by enzymes
• Catabolism

  1. Large molecules are broken down into smaller ones

  2. Break down carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins into their constituent smaller parts

  3. Break down ATP to release the energy needed for the metabolic process in all cells
• All organisms require energy for different essential processes
• Main purposes of metabolism include:
• Anabolism

  1. Synthesis of complex molecules

  2. Joining of smaller molecules into larger ones

  3. Requires energy in the form of ATP (generated by Catabolic Reactions)
• The body converts what you eat and drink into energy. During this complex process, calories in food and beverages are combined with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function
• During metabolism, the transformation of one compound results in the formation of another molecule
• Metabolism is defined as the total amount of the biochemical reactions involved in maintaining the living conditions of the cells in an organism
• Catabolic and anabolic hormones in the body help regulate metabolic processes. Catabolic hormones include:
• Metabolism takes place within each cell of a living organism and provides energy for vital processes and synthesizing new organic material
• There are two types of metabolism:
• The food we eat is useless until it undergoes metabolic changes
• Metabolism

  • Concepts of the power of enzymes, the regulation of their catalytic activity, and the transport of molecules and ions across membranes
• The purpose of metabolic pathways is to extract energy from food for cellular activities, convert food to building blocks, synthesize biomolecules, and eliminate waste and toxic products
• Anabolic Hormones - Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)


  Stimulates the growth of muscle and bone while also inhibiting cell death
• Catabolic Hormones - Glucagon


  1. Released when starving

  2. Stimulates breakdown of Glycogen in the liver to increase blood glucose levels
• Large Waistline is called abdominal obesity (apple shape) and excess fat in the stomach area is a greater risk factor for heart disease than fat in other parts
• Anabolic Hormones - Estrogen

  1. Produced primarily by ovaries. It is also produced by liver and adrenal glands

  2. Increases metabolism and fat deposition
• Metabolic Syndrome is a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease and other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke
• High Blood Pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage your heart and lead to plaque buildup
• The major goal of treating metabolic syndrome is to reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol and high blood pressure, managing diabetes, and preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes
• Anabolic Hormones - Growth Hormone (GH)


  1. Synthesized and released from pituitary gland

  2. Stimulates growth of cells, tissues, and bones
• Catabolic Hormones - Cortisol


  1. Released in response to stress

  2. Increases blood glucose levels
• Anabolic Hormones - Testosterone


  1. Produced by testes (males) and ovaries (females)

  2. Stimulates increase in muscle mass and strength

  3. Growth and strengthening of bones
• Causes of Metabolic Syndrome include a fatty liver, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Gallstones, and breathing problems during sleep
• Metabolic Risk Factors

  • Large Waistline
  • High Triglyceride Level
  • Low HDL Cholesterol
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Fasting Blood Sugar
• Low HDL Cholesterol is considered good cholesterol as it carries excess cholesterol back to the liver
• People with more muscle than fat tend to have a faster metabolism
• Anabolic Hormones - Insulin


  1. Produced by the pancreas

  2. Controls blood glucose levels

  3. Promotes take up glucose and store it in the liver and muscle as glucagon
• Body size, age, gender, and genes all play a role in the speed of your metabolism
• There are five conditions described as metabolic risk factors. One must have at least three metabolic risk factors in order to be diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome
• High Triglyceride Level raises the risk of heart attack, strokes, and pancreatitis
• Catabolic Hormones - Adrenaline/Epinephrine

  1. Released in response to the sympathetic nervous system

  2. Increases heart rate and heart contractility
• If diabetes is present, the goal of treatment is to reduce the risk for heart disease by controlling all risk factors
• High Fasting Blood Sugar points to insulin resistance or diabetes