Structures of the Major Compounds of the Body
5 Structures of the Major Compounds of the Body Our body contains compounds of great structural diversity, ranging from relatively simple sugars and amino acids to enormously complex polymers such…
Synthesis and Degradation of Amino Acids
37 Synthesis and Degradation of Amino Acids Because each of the 20 common amino acids has a unique structure, their metabolic pathways differ. Despite this, some generalities do apply to…
Transcription: Synthesis of RNA
13 Transcription: Synthesis of RNA Synthesis of RNA from a DNA template is called transcription. Genes are transcribed by enzymes called RNA polymerases that generate a single-stranded RNA identical in…
Synthesis of DNA
12 Synthesis of DNA DNA synthesis occurs by the process of replication. During replication, each of the two parental strands of DNA serves as a template for the synthesis of…
Oxidation of Fatty Acids and Ketone Bodies
30 Oxidation of Fatty Acids and Ketone Bodies Fatty acids are a major fuel for humans and supply our energy needs between meals and during periods of increased demand, such…
The Molecular Biology of Cancer
17 The Molecular Biology of Cancer The term cancer applies to a group of diseases in which cells grow abnormally and form a malignant tumor. Malignant cells can invade nearby…
Regulation of Gene Expression
15 Regulation of Gene Expression Gene expression, the generation of a protein or RNA product from a particular gene, is controlled by complex mechanisms. Normally, only a fraction of the…
Oxidative Phosphorylation and Mitochondrial Function
24 Oxidative Phosphorylation and Mitochondrial Function Energy from fuel oxidation is converted to the high-energy phosphate bonds of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by the process of oxidative phosphorylation. Most of the…
Generation of Adenosine Triphosphate from Glucose, Fructose, and Galactose: Glycolysis
22 Generation of Adenosine Triphosphate from Glucose, Fructose, and Galactose: Glycolysis Glucose is the universal fuel for human cells. Every cell type in the human is able to generate adenosine…
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle
23 Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle The tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) accounts for more than two-thirds of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generated from fuel oxidation. The pathways for oxidation of fatty…
