Carbohydrate Metabolism

Gluconeogenesis, which is the body's own synthesis of glucose, confronts some students who just studied glycolysis with the question: Why? Why  build up sugar again which has already been split up into its components? However, this metabolic pathway is more than just a reversal of glycolysis; in fact, it is essential to human life. Therefore, the following article will present you a comprehensive overview of  the processes of gluconeogenesis, so that you will be able to score with this extensive knowledge in your next biochemistry exam.

In biochemistry, glycolysis is very important. The knowledge of energy supply is of great significance for medical training. This also applies to the regulation of carbon hydrate deficiency and excess. Even the formation and utilization of lactate plays an important role in this. Physicians who supervise not only people with weight problems but also athletes have to deal with this subject on a daily basis. Glycolysis comprises more than sugar metabolism. In all professional areas, energy metabolism is an important subject. This article enables you to gather extensive knowledge concerning energy metabolism of human beings which will help you to master your medical exams.

Fructose is a carbohydrate that naturally occurs in fruits and  is included in /the form of sucrose in many other foods. While congenital disorders of the fructose metabolism and fructose intolerance are relatively rare, numerous clinical trials have proven a correlation between increased fructose uptake and disorders such as the metabolic syndrome and the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Both glycolysis and its parallel metabolic, the pentose phosphate pathway, start with the breakdown of glucose, i.e. glucose-6-phosphate. Divided into two distinct phases, the pentose phosphate pathway generates NADPH and pentoses, which can be used in other metabolic pathways. The pentose phosphate pathway is a small, but very important biochemical pathway physicians should be aware of, as, for instance, the metabolic disorder glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) may impart a distinct selective advantage against malaria.