How would you explain the connection between glucose entering the body and energy created by the body to a friend, using your new biochemistry knowled

For many this would need to be simplified for a better understanding. I would begin with; foods containing carbohydrates (sugars) are broken down and converted to energy by our bodies. Carbohydrates enter the body through foods that we eat and are broken down into smaller microscopic pieces that we call glucose. These glucose molecules are broken down even further in a process called glycolysis. Glycolysis has ten steps. Each of these steps changes the molecule slightly or breaks it apart until the glucose molecule is finally converted to two pyruvate molecules. In this process energy is used and energy is made. It has a 1:2 ratio of energy used to energy made.

After the glucose has been converted to pyruvate it can then enter one of two different processes depending on the oxygen available. If oxygen is not present the pyruvate will take the path of anaerobic glycolysis. In this process it is converted to lactate. The lactate is stored in the muscles and can be recycled in the liver back to pyruvate or even glucose to be used for energy synthesis. If oxygen is present the pyruvate will enter the citric acid cycle. This process is cyclic and is a high energy producer. In this process there is a 1:32 ratio of energy used to energy produced.

These processes are all very intricate and efficient. They are continuous and all proceed at the same time. There are many enzymes used to help this process continue at a very rapid rate. By breaking down food and making energy at the same time we are able to maintain a constant state of equilibrium and continue to function and be productive on a daily basis.

What knowledge have you connected with past knowledge?

Since the last knowledge connection question we have discussed the structure of DNA, transcription and translation. In biology we discussed the processes of transcription and translation as well as the structure of DNA. We discussed DNA further in chemistry. In biochemistry the discussion was more in depth. We discussed the interactions of other proteins with the DNA and in more detail the super structures. Transcription and translation put more emphasis on transcription factors, enzymes and initiation factors. Before this class it seemed like we knew about these subjects from other courses. After taking it we realize that we have only scratched the surface.

Now we are beginning to discuss catabolism and anabolism. These subjects were discussed in biology as well. We memorized the Citric Acid Cycle without fully understanding the chemical process. In chemistry we learned about oxidation reactions and redox reactions. In this course we are putting the two together. Making the connection helps to understand why a reductive process requires energy and an oxidative process releases energy. Further discussion in biochemistry focused on the reactions that occur between each of the ten steps of glycolysis. This showed in more detail how one sugar molecule proceeds through the cycle to become two pyruvate molecules ready to advance to other pathways depending on the conditions. As with transcription and translation this discussion reminds us of the magnitude of importance that these small steps have on everyday functions. It also gives us the understanding of how small irregularities can have a huge impact on the overall processes.