Question

Discuss the interrelationships between anabolic and catabolic pathways. Provide specific examples in your answer.

Answer 1

Metabolism is the sum total of all the reactions taking place inside a living system. Anabolic reactions are building up reactions which lead to the synthesis of complex molecules and catabolic reactions are breakdown reactions which lead to the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones.

Both anabolic and catabolic reactions are interrelated. The products of reaction are the substrates of the other reaction. For example cellular respiration and photosynthesis are highly interrelated processes. The former is a catabolic process where as the latter is an anabolic process.

The products of cellular respiration are carbon dioxide and water and ATP energy all of which are used in photosynthesis to synthesise glucose molecules. The glucose molecules which are the products of photosynthesis are used as substrate in cellular respiration so as to continue the process.

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