Macromolecules are of great interest to the study of anatomy and physiology due to the fact that they carry out most functions of a cell providing it with life. They provides structural support, a source of stored fuel, the ability to store and retrieve genetic information, and ability to speed biochemical reactions (Prakash, 2008). There are four main types of macromolecules including proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acid and lipids. This essay is specifically on the study of carboyhdrates as it is an essential part of everybody's diet and is in most foods we consume. In this essay I will be discussing the structure of carboyhrates and two examples of them. The way carboyhrates are used in cellular respiration will also be covered and finally
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When carbohydrates are broken down most cells extract this energy through the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is done through a process known as glycolysis, which breaks glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, resulting in a net gain of two ATP molecules for the cell. Two NADH molecules are generated during glycolysis which produces four ATP. However two molecules of ATP are used to initiate glycolysis thus the cell has a net gain of two ATP molecules. A chemical reaction converts pyruvate to a molecule called acetyl-CoA. The acetyl-CoA then enters the citric acid cycle which breaks down two absorbed pyruvate molecules, transferring hydrogen atoms to NADH and FADH2 (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2015, p. 972). During an Electron Transport Phosphorylation (ETS) there are 8 NADH molecules which produce 3 molecules of ATP and 2 FADH2 molecules with a byproduct of 2 ATP each. A process known as oxidative phosphorylation occurs which in turn produces the bulk of the ATP, a net of 32 ATP and a total of 36 ATP including the 2 ATP from the citric acid …show more content…
They account for 3% of the plasma membranes weight and are essential in lubrication and protection of the cell. Carboyhydrates are apart of complex molecules such as proteoglycans, glycoproteins and glycolipids. The carbohydrates in these molecules extend beyond the outer surface of the membrane forming a layer known as the glycocalyx. This coats the cell and acts as a first layer of defense as the glycocalyx allows bateria to adhere together creating biofilm, which is resistant to harmful factors. Other important functions of the glycocalyx include, ancoring and locomotion, recognition and specificity in binding (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2015, p.
When carbohydrates are broken down most cells extract this energy through the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is done through a process known as glycolysis, which breaks glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, resulting in a net gain of two ATP molecules for the cell. Two NADH molecules are generated during glycolysis which produces four ATP. However two molecules of ATP are used to initiate glycolysis thus the cell has a net gain of two ATP molecules. A chemical reaction converts pyruvate to a molecule called acetyl-CoA. The acetyl-CoA then enters the citric acid cycle which breaks down two absorbed pyruvate molecules, transferring hydrogen atoms to NADH and FADH2 (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2015, p. 972). During an Electron Transport Phosphorylation (ETS) there are 8 NADH molecules which produce 3 molecules of ATP and 2 FADH2 molecules with a byproduct of 2 ATP each. A process known as oxidative phosphorylation occurs which in turn produces the bulk of the ATP, a net of 32 ATP and a total of 36 ATP including the 2 ATP from the citric acid …show more content…
They account for 3% of the plasma membranes weight and are essential in lubrication and protection of the cell. Carboyhydrates are apart of complex molecules such as proteoglycans, glycoproteins and glycolipids. The carbohydrates in these molecules extend beyond the outer surface of the membrane forming a layer known as the glycocalyx. This coats the cell and acts as a first layer of defense as the glycocalyx allows bateria to adhere together creating biofilm, which is resistant to harmful factors. Other important functions of the glycocalyx include, ancoring and locomotion, recognition and specificity in binding (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2015, p.