Bioenergetics, or the flow of energy in a biological system, concerns primarily the conversion of macronutrients— carbohydrate, protein, and fats, which contain chemical energy—into biologically usable forms of energy. It is the breakdown of the chemical bonds in these macronutrients that provides the energy necessary to perform biological work.
Catabolism (exergonic) Anabolism (endergonic)
The breakdown of large molecules into smaller molecules, associated with the release of energy, is termed catabolism.
The synthesis of larger molecules from smaller molecules can be accomplished using the energy released from catabolic reactions; this building-up process is termed anabolism.
The breakdown of protein into amino acids is an example of catabolism, while the formation of protein from amino acids is an anabolic process.
Exergonic reactions Endergonic reactions
Exergonic reactions are energy-releasing reactions and are generally catabolic. Endergonic reactions require energy and include anabolic processes and the contraction of muscle. Metabolism is the total of all
the catabolic or exergonic and anabolic or endergonic reactions in a biological system
Adenosine triphosphate ATP
Energy derived from catabolic or exergonic reactions is used to drive anabolic or endergonic reactions through an intermediate molecule, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Adenosine triphosphate allows the transfer of energy from exergonic to endergonic reactions. Without an adequate supply of ATP, muscular activity and muscle growth would not be possible.
2. Bioenergetics
Bioenergetics, or the flow of energy in a biological system, concerns
primarily the conversion of macronutrients— carbohydrate, protein, and
fats, which contain chemical energy—into biologically usable forms of
energy. It is the breakdown of the chemical bonds in these
macronutrients that provides the energy necessary to perform biological
work.
3. Catabolism (exergonic)
Anabolism (endergonic)
The breakdown of large molecules into smaller molecules, associated
with the release of energy, is termed catabolism.
The synthesis of larger molecules from smaller molecules can be
accomplished using the energy released from catabolic reactions; this
building-up process is termed anabolism.
The breakdown of protein into amino acids is an example of
catabolism, while the formation of protein from amino acids is an
anabolic process.
4. Exergonic reactions
Endergonic reactions
Exergonic reactions are energy-releasing reactions and are generally
catabolic. Endergonic reactions require energy and include anabolic
processes and the contraction of muscle. Metabolism is the total of all
the catabolic or exergonic and anabolic or endergonic reactions in a
biological system.
5. Adenosine triphosphate ATP
Energy derived from catabolic or exergonic reactions is used to drive
anabolic or endergonic reactions through an intermediate molecule,
adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Adenosine triphosphate allows the
transfer of energy from exergonic to endergonic reactions. Without an
adequate supply of ATP, muscular activity and muscle growth would
not be possible.
