Lecture 26. Introduction to metabolism

Wednesday 9 November 2016

Metabolism and thermodynamics. Metabolic flux and its control. "High energy" compounds. Thioesters. Oxidation-reduction reactions.

Reading: VVP4e - Ch.14, pp.436-461.

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Summary

Thermodynamics dictates the direction and regulaory capacity of metabolic pathways

Control of metabolic flux

"High-energy" compounds: ATP and other compounds with high phosphoryl transfer potential.

Coupled reactions: driving an endergonic process by coupling it to a highly exergonic process so that the net process is exergonic.

Thioesters: Coenzyme A (CoA) is a thioester that serves as an acyl group carrier. Acetyl CoA is a central metabolite. Other thioesters in metabolism and enzymology.

Oxidation-reduction reactions

Electron carriers: NAD+, FAD.

The Nernst equation and thermodynamic spontaneity of redox reactions

Biochemical standard reduction potentials