How are Molecules Made?
There are a range of chemical reactions that occur in any living cell. Many biological reactions are members of a metabolic pathway. That is, they function as one of a sequence of enzymatic reactions that produce specific products. There are two major types of metabolism: 1. Catabolism or degradation. Nutrients and cell constituents are broken down to salvage their components and/or generate energy. Catabolism occurs mainly in awake and active states, as during the day for diurnal animals, and night for nocturnal animals. It supplies the energy to carry out all the tasks that are needed during activity: searching for food, communicating, reproduction, playing. 2. Anabolism or biosynthesis. Biomolecules are synthesized from simpler components. The energy required by anabolic processes is provided by catabolic processes largely accumulated during active hours in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Anabolism occurs mainly during resting hours, as in sleep. It happens during the nigh
