In: Biology
how does Electron Transport and Oxidative Phosphorylation, the storage mechanisms and control in carbohydrate metabolism and photosynthesis relate to biochemistry?
Biochemistry essentially deals with
the metabolism of an organism.
Metabolism = The entire collection of anabolic and catabolic
reactions occurring in a living system.
Metabolism is the defining feature of all living organisms.
Anabolism:
Biosynthetic reactions
Endergonic reactions
Small molecules to large molecules
Ex: Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis involves the reduction of CO2 to carbohydrates with
the help of light energy.
It includes light-dependent reactions and light-independent
reactions
Light-dependent reactions are concerned with the conversion of
photonic to assimilatory energy (ATP and NADPH). It is also known
as photophosphorylation.
Light-independent reactions are concerned with the reduction of CO2
to glucose by using assimilatory energy.
Catabolism:
Degradation reactions
Exergonic reactions
Large moelcules to small molecules
Ex: Respiration
Aerobic respiration involves
oxidation glucose to CO2. It involves the following steps
1. Glycolysis: Glucose --> Pyruvate
2. Transition reaction: Pyruvate --> Acetyl CoA
3. TCA cycle: Acetyl CoA --> CO2
4. Electron transport chain: NADH + FADH2 + ADP + Pi ------>
NAD+ + FAD + H+ + ATP
It is also referred to as oxidative phosphorylation.
When blood glucose levels are high,
it is converted to glycogen.
When blood glucose levels are low, glycogen is converted to
glucose.