carbohydrate catabolic process

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of carbohydrates, any of a group of organic compounds based of the general formula Cx(H2O)y. [ISBN:0198506732]

Carbohydrate catabolic process is the breakdown of carbohydrates into simpler molecules, releasing energy that can be used by cells. This process occurs in several steps, each catalyzed by a specific enzyme.

**1. Glycolysis:** This is the first stage of carbohydrate catabolism and occurs in the cytoplasm of cells. It involves the breakdown of glucose (a six-carbon sugar) into two molecules of pyruvate (a three-carbon molecule). This process generates a small amount of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy currency of cells, and also produces NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), an electron carrier.

**2. Pyruvate Oxidation:** Pyruvate, the product of glycolysis, is transported into the mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells. Here, it is oxidized to acetyl-CoA (acetyl coenzyme A), a two-carbon molecule. This step also generates NADH.

**3. Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle):** Acetyl-CoA enters the citric acid cycle, a series of reactions that occur in the mitochondrial matrix. This cycle produces reduced electron carriers, NADH and FADH2 (flavin adenine dinucleotide), as well as some ATP and carbon dioxide as a waste product.

**4. Oxidative Phosphorylation:** The reduced electron carriers generated in glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, and the citric acid cycle are used in oxidative phosphorylation, the final stage of carbohydrate catabolism. This process occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane and involves the transfer of electrons from NADH and FADH2 to oxygen, releasing energy that is used to generate ATP.

**Overall, carbohydrate catabolism is a complex process that involves multiple steps, each catalyzed by a specific enzyme. This process is essential for the production of energy in cells, which is used for various cellular functions, including growth, repair, and movement.**'
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