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Content Category 1D: Principles of bioenergetics and fuel molecule metabolism

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Living things harness energy from fuel molecules in a controlled manner in order to sustain all the processes responsible for maintaining life. Cell maintenance and growth is energetically costly. Cells harness the energy stored in fuel molecules, such as carbohydrates and fatty acids, and convert it into smaller units of chemical potential known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

The hydrolysis of ATP provides a ready source of energy for cells that can be coupled to other chemical processes in order to make them thermodynamically favorable. Fuel molecule mobilization, transport, and storage are regulated according to the needs of the organism. 

The content in this category covers the principles of bioenergetics and fuel molecule catabolism. Details of oxidative phosphorylation including the role of chemiosmotic coupling and biological electron transfer reactions are covered, as are the general features of fatty acid and glucose metabolism. Additionally, regulation of these metabolic pathways, fuel molecule mobilization, transport, and storage are covered.

Topic Biochemistry Biochemistry: A Short Course Biology, 2e Fundamentals of Biochemistry Human Physiology Karp’s Cell and Molecular Biology Organic Chemistry with a Biological Emphasis, Vol. 2
Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, and the Pentose Phosphate Pathway (BIO, BC)*
  • Glycolysis (aerobic), substrates and products
    • Feeder pathways: glycogen, starch metabolism
  • Fermentation (anaerobic glycolysis)
  • Gluconeogenesis (BC)
  • Pentose phosphate pathway (BC)
  • Net molecular and energetic results of respiration processes
  • Ch. 16 Glycolysis and Gluconeogenesis, pp. 491-531
  • Ch. 20 The Calvin Cycle and the Pentose Phosphate Pathway, pp. 659-672
  • Ch. 16 Glycolysis, pp. 311-336
  • Ch. 17 Gluconeogenesis, pp. 343-355
  • Ch. 26 The Pentose Phosphate Pathway, pp. 519-530
  • Ch. 14 Introduction to Metabolism, pp. 442-477
  • Ch. 15 Glucose Catabolism, pp. 448-522
  • Ch. 4 Metabolism, pp. 106-121
  • Ch. 11 Muscle, pp. 394-396
  • Ch. 3 Bioenergetics, Enzymes, and Metabolism, pp. 105-111
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Principles of Metabolic Regulation (BC)*
  • Regulation of metabolic pathways (BIO, BC)
    • Maintenance of a dynamic steady state
  • Regulation of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis
  • Metabolism of glycogen
  • Regulation of glycogen synthesis and breakdown
    • Allosteric and hormonal control
  • Analysis of metabolic control
  • Ch. 15 Metabolism: Basic Concepts and Design, pp. 483-487
  • Ch. 16 Glycolysis and Gluconeogenesis, pp. 511-516, 525-533
  • Ch. 21 Glycogen Metabolism, pp. 679-702
  • Ch. 15 Metabolism: Basic Concepts and Design, pp. 283-304
  • Ch. 24 Glycogen Degradation, pp. 485-497
  • Ch. 25 Glycogen Synthesis, pp. 503-513
  • Ch. 14 Introduction to Metabolism, pp. 442-477
  • Ch. 15 Glucose Catabolism, pp. 448-522
  • Ch.16 Glycogen Metabolism and Gluconeogenesis
  • Ch. 4 Metabolism, pp. 106-121
  • Ch. 3 Bioenergetics, Enzymes, and Metabolism, pp. 105-111
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Citric Acid Cycle (BIO, BC)*
  • Acetyl-CoA production (BC)
  • Reactions of the cycle, substrates and products
  • Regulation of the cycle
  • Net molecular and energetic results of respiration processes
  • Ch. 17 The Citric Acid Cycle, pp. 541- 564
  • Ch. 18 Preparation for the Cycle, pp. 363-372
  • Ch. 19 Harvesting Electrons from the Cycle, pp. 377-388
  • Ch. 17 Citric Acid Cycle, pp. 558-587
  • Ch. 4 Metabolism, pp. 106-113
  • Ch. 5 Aerobic Respiration and the Mitochondrion, pp. 175-177
  • Ch. 17.3, pp. 397-401
Metabolism of Fatty Acids and Proteins (BIO, BC)*
  • Description of fatty acids (BC)
  • Digestion, mobilization, and transport of fats
  • Oxidation of fatty acids
    • Saturated fats
    • Unsaturated fats
  • Ketone bodies (BC)
  • Anabolism of fats (BIO)
  • Nontemplate synthesis: biosynthesis of lipids and polysaccharides (BIO)
  • Metabolism of proteins (BIO)
  • Ch. 12 Lipids and Cell Membranes, pp. 373-379
  • Ch. 22 Fatty Acid Metabolism, pp. 709-742
  • Ch. 23 Protein Turnover and Amino Acid Catabolism, pp. 751-758
  • Ch. 11 Lipids, pp. 207-218
  • Ch. 14 Digestion, pp. 276-278
  • Ch. 27 Fatty Acid Degradation, pp. 537-551
  • Ch. 28 Fatty Acid Synthesis, pp. 557-569
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  • Ch. 14 Introduction to Metabolism, pp. 442-477
  • Ch. 4 Metabolism, pp. 121-125
  • Ch. 3 Bioenergetics, Enzymes, and Metabolism, pp. 103-111
  • Ch. 13.1-13.4, pp. 192-211
Oxidative Phosphorylation (BIO, BC)*
  • Electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation, substrates and products, general features of the pathway
  • Electron transfer in mitochondria
    • NADH, NADPH
    • Flavoproteins
    • Cytochromes
  • ATP synthase, chemiosmotic coupling
    • Proton motive force
  • Net molecular and energetic results of respiration processes
  • Regulation of oxidative phosphorylation
  • Mitochondria, apoptosis, oxidative stress (BC)
  • Ch. 18 Oxidative Phosphorylation, pp. 573-611
  • Ch. 20 The Electron Transport Chain, pp. 399-415
  • Ch. 21 The Proton-Motive Force, pp. 419-437
  • Ch. 14 Introduction to Metabolism, pp. 442-477
  • Ch. 4 Metabolism, pp. 106-113
  • Ch. 5 Aerobic Respiration and the Mitochondrion, pp. 168-186
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Hormonal Regulation and Integration of Metabolism (BC)
  • Higher-level integration of hormone structure and function
  • Tissue-specific metabolism
  • Hormonal regulation of fuel metabolism
  • Obesity and regulation of body mass
  • Ch. 27 The Integration of Metabolism, pp. 889-913
 NA NA
  • Ch. 14 Introduction to Metabolism, pp. 442-477
  • Ch. 15 Glucose Catabolism, pp. 448-522
  • Ch.16 Glycogen Metabolism and Gluconeogenesis, pp. 523-557
  • Ch. 13 The Endocrine System, pp. 447-456
  • Ch. 3 Bioenergetics, Enzymes, and Metabolism, pp. 109-110
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