Revista de nutrición clínica y metabolismo

Cellular Metabolism

The process of all chemical reactions in the body usually referred to be as metabolism. Catabolism is the process of Cellular metabolism can breakdown an organic matter.

Cellular metabolism refers to the set of chemical reactions that occur within a living cell to sustain life. These reactions allow cells to convert nutrients into energy and building blocks for the synthesis of cellular components. Metabolism is essential for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues.

Cellular metabolism can be divided into two broad categories: catabolism and anabolism. Catabolism involves the breakdown of larger molecules, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, into smaller molecules that can be used for energy production or biosynthesis. Anabolism involves the synthesis of larger molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, from smaller building blocks.

The central metabolic pathway in cells is glycolysis, which is the breakdown of glucose into pyruvate. This process generates ATP, the energy currency of the cell. Pyruvate can then enter the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, which further produces ATP and other building blocks for cellular metabolism.

In addition to glycolysis and the citric acid cycle, other metabolic pathways in cells include fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. These pathways are tightly regulated and coordinated to ensure efficient energy production and biosynthesis.

Dysregulation of cellular metabolism is associated with many diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and neurodegeneration. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of cellular metabolism is of critical importance for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.