Metabolism is defined as the summation of all chemical reactions that occur and are involved inside of any cell or organism. Metabolism has two potential categories: catabolism and anabolism. In catabolism, molecules are broken down producing energy. In anabolism, combinations of certain compounds that are needed by the cells are produced including: DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. The definition of bioenergetics is the metabolic passageways a cell takes to acquire certain energies. Nutrition science studies the specific relationships with food matters and living things.
Metabolism is a compilation of chemical reactions that takes place within a cell. Metabolism primarily deals with the food we eat. It changes the fuel in the food into the necessary energy to command every single action that one does. This can be a wide range of activities from movements such as walking or typing to physiological actions as complex as cardiopulmonary and cardiovascular pumping. The energy that is produced in the metabolic chemical reactions is neither solar nor thermal energy, but rather ATP energy. ATP, also known as Adenine triphosphate, is a nucleotide, which is a monomer of a protein, that can store and transfer energy very diligently either around the cell or intercellular. ATP is the particle that helps us control all of our bodily functions pertaining to the cells in our body, so everything from breathing to digesting is strongly aided by ATP energy. Chemically, ATP is simply a nucleotide of adenine bonded to three phosphates where most of the energy is stored in-between the second and the third phosphate group. The energy that is located between these two groups is attributed as the main factor in most of the chemical reactions throughout the body. The ATP is arguably the most important particle in our cells due to the simple fact of if all ATP production in an organism’s cells, then very soon, that organism would perish since there is no force to keep the cells active (Marie, 2016).
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Catabolism is one of the first and most crucial steps in the metabolism process. Catabolism is primarily the arrangements of enzyme-induced reactions from which larger molecules in majority of living cells are broken down or corrupted. Part of the chemical energy released throughout catabolic processes is saved in the form of energy-rich compounds. Energy is only released in three phases. In the first stage, large molecules like proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids are broken down; small amounts of energy are released in the form of thermal energy in these expansions. In the second phase, the small molecules are exposed to copious amounts of oxygen, freeing chemical energy to form ATP as well as heat energy, to form a variety of compounds including: acetate, oxaloacetate, or a-oxoglutarate. These are exposed to carbon dioxide during the third phase, a repeated reaction series called the tricarboxylic acid (Krebs) cycle. Hydrogen particles or electrons from the transitional combinations formed during the cycle are transmitted through a succession of carrier molecules eventually to oxygen, forming water (H20). These procedures are known also as terminal respiration and oxidative phosphorylation (Bubnis, 2018).
Anabolism is the second and arguably most important phase of the metabolism process. Anabolism is the set of metabolic passageways that synthesizes molecules from smaller components. These reactions involve energy, otherwise known as an endergonic procedure. One way of classifying metabolic procedures, whether at the cellular, organ or organism level, is anabolic, which is the opposite and accordingly the split of a macromolecule. Anabolism is fueled by catabolism, where large molecules are broken down into smaller parts and then consumed in cellular respiration. Most anabolic practices are driven by the addition of water to adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Anabolic processes generally lean toward generating organs and tissues. These processes produce development and variation of cells and increase in bulk size, a process that involves production of intricate molecules. Examples of anabolic processes are growth and mineralization of bone and muscle mass. Endocrinologists usually classify hormones as anabolic or catabolic depending on which part of metabolism they fuel. The standard anabolic hormones are the anabolic steroids, which encourage protein synthesis, muscle development, and insulin. The balance between anabolism and catabolism is also regulated by daily patterns, with processes such as glucose metabolism changing to match an animal's average intervals of action throughout the day (Bubnis, 2018).
While metabolism may have several parts, it can also fluctuate greatly. Metabolism can be both low and high. An organism with a low metabolism has problems breaking down fats and lipids as easily as an organism with a high metabolism. Low metabolism is usually characterized by the fact of catabolism not working fast enough to keep up with the intake of different proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Many factors, including age, sex (gender), and body size can affect one’s metabolism. For, example, as one ages, his/her muscle mass depletes, which slows down his or her metabolic rate. Additionally, men generally have less body fat and more muscle mass than women do, so on average, a man burns more calories more quickly than a woman. Also, if one weighs more or has a higher muscle mass, they will burn more calories, even while resting than compared to someone with significantly less body fat or muscle mass. Many people in today’s society believe that those who are heavier are less inclined to have a low metabolism but that is not always the case with every individual in today’s world (Hensrud, 2015).
There are an excessive amount of ways to increase your metabolism rate. One of many ways is to eat a copious amount of protein at every meal. This is because it makes one feel full to prevent overeating. Also it would be very beneficial to drink more cold water than sugary drinks due to the large amounts of calories in them. Working out also benefits in losing calories greatly. Additionally, sitting down too often is fairly bad for one’s health so it would be better to stand. Eating spicy foods can also significantly boost your metabolism due to the large amount of capsaicin found in most peppers and spices. There are numerous other ways to increase the metabolism rate in one’s body as well such as drinking green tea and coffee, getting enough sleep, and using coconut oil in foods to reduce the amount of saturated fats included (West, 2018).
So in summation, metabolism is a very crucial factor in keeping a body system healthy all together. Metabolism is a very long and drawn out process of ingesting and decomposing many different types of foods and beverages. Metabolism has many different components to it such as anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism is a process that makes reactions that ultimately produce the proteins that assist in forming the muscles and many other parts of the body. Catabolism is the process of creating energy through terminal respiration and oxidative phosphorylation that can later be used in processes such as anabolism and cellular respiration. There are those in the world who can have high metabolism and those who will have low metabolism, yet there is a way to change that. Rather, there are many ways to change your metabolism rate such as: a healthy diet that includes a large amount of proteins, excessive workouts, and an all around healthy lifestyle. Without metabolism, most of the world’s organisms would be in chronic danger and that is why it is such an important topic for studies.
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