Metabolism
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 4.2.3
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:
Converting glucose
- Converting glucose into starch (plants), glycogen (animals) and cellulose (plants).
Making lipids
- Combining glycerol and fatty acid chains to make lipid molecules.
Making amino acids
Combining glucose and nitrate ions to make amino acids. Amino acids can then be combined to make proteins.
Breaking down excess proteins
- Breaking down excess proteins to form urea, which is excreted (got rid of) in urine.
Test yourself on Metabolism
Which of the following are true of metabolism and metabolic reactions?
A plant cell and an animal cell each convert glucose into a storage molecule. Which molecule would only be made in an animal cell?
Where is urea excreted from the body?
Name the three molecules that glucose is converted into during metabolism