METABOLISM AND ENZYMES

Metabolism is the building up (synthesis) or the breakdown of substances in the living organism. It consists of anabolism and catabolism.

Anabolism is the formation or synthesis of complex substances from simple ones.                           That is, A + B -----> C.
An example of anabolic reaction is photosynthesis.

Catabolism is the breakdown of complex substances into simple ones. That is, C -----> A + B.
An example of catabolic reaction is respiration.

What is photosynthesis?
This is the process whereby  plants produce their food (glucose) using carbon dioxide, water, and energy from the sun,  in the presence of chlorophyll (the green pigment in the leaves). Chlorophyll is contained in the chloroplast and it traps the energy from the sunlight. Glucose is the main product formed and oxygen is given off as waste.

This the equation that summarizes photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O à C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
This is carbon dioxide: CO₂ 
This is water: H₂O
This is glucose: C₆H₁₂O₆
This is oxygen: O₂

Note: You should know this equation off-hand. 

Water goes up from the roots through the plant vessel called xylem.
The glucose formed in the leaves are transported to storage sites via the plant vessel called phloem.

The glucose is stored as starch in the plants.

Respiration
Respiration involves the breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen to release energy in the form of ATP (ATP stands for adenosine  triphosphate, the energy currency). ATP is generated in the mitochondrium. Respiration is a combustion reaction since oxygen is needed.

There are three (3) stages in the process of respiration.
1. Glycolysis: Glucose is activated and broken down to pyruvate.
2. Kreb's cycle (also known as the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle - TCA cycle): Some ATP, NADH, FADH_{2 are produce here.}

3. Electron Transport Chain (ETC): Most ATP's are produced here.

This equation summarizes the reaction of respiration:
 C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂  à6CO₂ + 6H₂O 

Know this very well. It is simply the reverse of photosynthesis reaction.

In the absence of oxygen, pyruvate is converted into lactic acid, which  causes muscle cramps. When oxygen is available, the lactic acid is changed back to pyruvate which is then used up in the Kreb's cycle.

Fermentation
This is the process whereby glucose is changed to alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

Click to read more about enzymes and metabolism.