Human Biochemistry, Volume 1 - Murray R. 1993

Bioenergetics and Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism
Intermediary Metabolism
Biomedical Significance

Knowledge of normal body METABOLISM is essential for understanding the causes of many diseases. Normal metabolism features adaptive changes during fasting, physical exertion, Pregnancy, and Lactation. Metabolic Disorders occur, for example, in malnutrition, enzyme deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances.

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Fig. 16.1. Three major categories of metabolic pathways. Catabolic pathways transform Free energy into the form of reducing equivalents (2H) or high-energy phosphates (~ P); this energy is utilized to drive anabolic reactions. Amphibolic pathways serve as a link between Catabolic and anabolic pathways.

A prominent example of a disease caused by metabolic dysfunction ("inborn error of metabolism" / metabolic disorder) is Diabetes Mellitus.



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