Thursday, June 30, 2011

Metabolic map about Krebs cycle

Here comes one more metabolic map, now about Krebs cycle.

http://www.biocarta.com/genes/Metabolism.asp

Music about the Krebs cycle

Here it is one more music of Dr. Baum, this time about the Krebs cycle. This is an adaptation of the very famous Waltzing Matilda.

Pentose phosphate pathway (main aspects)

Pentose phosphate pathway
- Type of metabolic pathway: catabolic, linear
- Main goal: production of NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate from glucose oxidation
- Subcellular localization: cytosol
- Number of biochemical reactions (oxidative phase): 5
- Oxidative phase energetic output (per glucose molecule): -1 ATP e +2 NADPH
- Oxidative phase final product (per glucose molecule): 1 ribose-5-phosphate

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Metabolic map about glycolysis

I have to admit that I am a fan of metabolic pathway’s map.  J
Here it is one about glycolysis…

http://www.biocarta.com/genes/Metabolism.asp

Music about glycolysis

This post is dedicated to everyone who thinks that science and humor does not combine…
 











In the year of 1982 it was published a book called The Biochemist SongBook (http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9780748404162) that collected many songs created by Dr. Baum (Chelsea College, Universidade de Londres). Those songs are adaptations of popular musics and cover many different aspects of biochemistry. They were created every year for the Christmas party of Dr. Baum’s department. Here goes a link for the download of the mp3 song about glycolysis, na adaptation of the famous The British Grenadiers.

http://www.mediafire.com/?am50vkgjzr4y7u1

Cellular respiration (main aspects)

Cellular respiration
 - Type of metabolic pathway: catabolic
- Main goal: ATP production from oxidation of NADH e FADH2
- Subcellular localization: mitochondrial inner membrane
- Conditions required to occur: aerobic
- Energetic output (per NADH molecule): +2,5 ATP
- Energetic output (per FADH2 molecule): +1,5 ATP
- Final product: H2O

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Krebs Cycle (main aspects)

Krebs cycle
- Type of metabolic pathway: catabolic, cyclic
- Main goal: energy production from acetyl-CoA oxidation
- Subcellular localization: mitochondrial matrix
- Conditions required to occur: aerobic
- Number of biochemical reactions: 8
- Energetic output (per acetyl-CoA molecule): +3 NADH, 1 FADH2 e +1 GTP
- Final product (per acetyl-CoA molecule): 2 CO2

Fates of pyruvate (main aspects)

Lactic fermentation
- Main goal: to regenerate NAD+ through the reduction of pyruvate
- Subcellular localization: cytosol
- Conditions required to occur: anaerobic and/or absence of mitochondria
- Number of biochemical reactions: 1
- Energetic output (per pyruvate molecule): -1 NADH
- Final product (per pyruvate molecule): 1 lactate

Pyruvate oxidation
- Type of metabolic pathway: catabolic, linear
- Main goal: energy production from pyruvate oxidation
- Subcellular localization: mitochondrial matrix
- Conditions required to occur: aerobic
- Number of biochemical reactions: 1
- Energetic output (per pyruvate molecule): +1NADH
- Final product (per pyruvate molecule): 1 acetyl-CoA

Glycolysis (main aspects)

I have decided to begin with an overview about metabolic pathways. Before I start to detail those pathways, I will reserve the first posts to an abstract of the most important aspects of the different processes of the so-called main metabolism.

Glicolysis
- Type of metabolic pathway: catabolic, linear
- Main goal: energy production from glucose degradation
- Subcellular localization: cytosol
- Conditions required to occur: aerobic and/or anaerobic
- Number of biochemical reactions: 10
- Energetic output (per glucose molecule): +2 ATP e +2 NADH
- Final product (per glucose molecule): 2 piruvate

Welcome to the World of Biochemistry…

Biochemistry is a science that is present in all of our daily moments. It is responsible for everything that goes on our body. Simple activities like sleeping, running, thinking, eating, among many others, require notable adaptations from our biochemistry.
Nevertheless, among the academic community, the word “Biochemistry” is usually also synonymous of a tuff course (usually associated with high unapproval rates), full of strange names and responsible for taking off many sleeping hours from students. As I believe that the things do not have to be like it, and once my college graduation was on biochemistry, I have decided to create a blog where I will try to explore biochemical concepts in a simple way (as it is possible…). I will regularly update the blog with new posts, and I really hope that the readers may contribute with criticisms, suggestions, posts and other relevant information.