Video Transcript
In cellular respiration, glucose is
broken down to release energy. What type of metabolic reaction,
anabolism or catabolism, is this an example of?
Each metabolic reaction that occurs
in your body contributes to your overall metabolism, which is the sum of all the
chemical reactions that occur within you to maintain life. There are two main types of
metabolic reaction: anabolic reactions and catabolic reactions.
Anabolic reactions involve
constructing large molecules by joining together their smaller subunits. Anabolism requires an input of
energy to form the bonds between the smaller subunits. This energy is provided by breaking
a high-energy bond in a molecule called ATP.
The breakdown of ATP itself is an
example of a catabolic reaction, as catabolism involves breaking down molecules into
smaller molecules. The breaking of bonds within the
larger molecules in catabolic reactions releases energy, which, with the exception
of the catabolism of ATP itself, is usually stored in cells in the form of molecules
of ATP. This is because the high-energy
bonds in an ATP molecule can be quickly broken again when energy is required in the
cell.
The question provides us with an
example of a metabolic reaction: cellular respiration. We are told that in cellular
respiration, glucose is broken down to release energy. As we know that catabolic reactions
involve breaking down large molecules into smaller molecules and releases energy in
the process, we can deduce the correct answer to this question. Cellular respiration is an example
of catabolism.
