4.2.3

Metabolism

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Metabolism

Metabolism refers to all the chemical reactions that happen in an organism. Many of these chemical reactions create new molecules with the help of enzymes. Metabolic reactions include:

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Converting glucose

  • Converting glucose into starch (plants), glycogen (animals) and cellulose (plants).
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Making lipids

  • Combining glycerol and fatty acid chains to make lipid molecules.
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Making amino acids

Combining glucose and nitrate ions to make amino acids. Amino acids can then be combined to make proteins.

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Breaking down excess proteins

  • Breaking down excess proteins to form urea, which is excreted (got rid of) in urine.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

1.1What's in Cells?

1.2Cell Division

1.3Transport in Cells

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

5.1Homeostasis

5.2The Human Nervous System

5.3Hormonal Coordination in Humans

5.4Plant Hormones

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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