METABOLISM

Metabolism is such a big word to explain a simple idea. We all need energy to survive. Plants, animals, or bacteria, we all need energy. Energy doesn't just float around in a form we can use to survive. We need to eat (mainly sugars) and digest food. That process of chemical digestion and its related reactions is called metabolism. Metabolism is the total of all of the chemical reactions an organism needs to survive.

Building Glucose

Sounds a lot like biology. Why's it here in biochemistry? Two main chemical processes make our world go round. There are two simple chemical reactions. The first is called glycolysis. That's the breakdown of sugars. The second process is called photosynthesis. That is the reaction that builds sugars. You need to remember that the overall metabolism of an organism includes thousands of chemical reactions. Glycolysis and photosynthesis are the cornerstones to life.

BUILDING UP

First, you need to build up the molecules that store energy. We'll start with photosynthesis. It's no use explaining the breakdown of sugars without telling you how they were made.

LIGHT (Energy) + CO₂ + H₂O --> C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂

This is the reaction that only plants can do (and some algae/bacteria). They take sunlight and combine carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). They create Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen gas (O₂). Remember, plants put the energy in glucose.

BREAKING DOWN

It's metabolism and the process of glycolysis that takes that energy out of the sugar related molecules.

C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂--> Usable Energy (ATP) + CO₂ + H₂O

Cells then use that extra energy to power the functions of the cell. The energy isn't still floating around; it's stored in an excitable compound called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the power molecule used all over organisms and their cells to power the secondary reactions that keep us alive.

RELATED LINKS

- Biology4Kids: Scientific Method
- Biology4Kids: Cell Structure
- Geography4Kids: Carbon Cycle
- Geography4Kids: Biosphere

-	Overview
>	Metabolism
-	Cycles
-	Carbohydrates
-	Lipids
-	Nucleic Acids
-	DNA
-	Amino Acid Structure
-	20 Amino Acids
-	Proteins
-	Enzymes
-	Enz. Regulation
	MORE CHEMISTRY TOPICS

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