Chapter 5, Problem 8MC

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Metabolism is the series of chemical reactions also knowns as the pathway that occurs in an organism. It is classified into catabolism (breakdown of large molecules and synthesis of smaller products) and anabolism (synthesis of large or complex molecules from smaller products). The catabolic and anabolic reactions release and require energy, respectively. Both catabolic and anabolic pathways are associated with each other in cells. However, cells can perform some special class of chemical reaction known as oxidation-reduction reactions, in which electrons are transferred from one molecule (electron donor) to another (electron acceptor) cell. A molecule that accepts or loses electrons is called reduced or oxidized, respectively.