Answer:
Metabolic Pathway
Explanation:
This is the interconnected routes or steps of biochemical reactions that takes place in cells. It is usually facilitated by presence of enzymes. It is initiated with the activity of enzymes on substrates to form an intermediate products, which breakdown to the final products. The latter can be absorbed directly by the cells or acted upon by another enzymes as substrates . However,the substrates acted upon and final products formed are called the metabolites.
Based on the energy released or absorbed by the cells during biochemical reactions, metabolic pathways can be;
Catabolic where the breakdown of complex substances into simpler form involved the release of large amount of heat. (exergonic). e,g Glycolysis,
and
when the pathways involved the absorption of large amount of energy (endergonic) during the synthesis of new complex products, from simple substances the reaction is Anabolic. e,g protein synthesis from amino acids
Chemically both processes are interconnected to complement one another. The heat energy liberated during catabolisim is used by anablolic pathways for efficiency.This is to ensure relatively homeostatic status of the body systems with availability of needed metabolites.
Further some metabolic pathways can be both Ana- and Cata-bolic in their pathways, they are said to be Amphibolic. Example of this is in Kreb's Cycle.
The sequence of pathways interconnected pathways of breaking down and forming of new molecules in cells is called metabolisms.
