![]() In contrast, energy-storage molecules such as glucose are consumed to be broken down to use their energy. You probably already know that the energy to power photosynthesis comes from sunlight. This means that this process requires an energy input to proceed. The process of producing glucose from carbon dioxide and water requires an energy input to proceed because glucose contains more energy in its molecular bonds than carbon dioxide does. They consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen as a waste product. During photosynthesis, plants use energy (originally from sunlight) to convert carbon dioxide gas (CO 2) into sugar molecules (like glucose: C 6H 12O 6). For the most part, photosynthesizing organisms like plants produce these sugars. Living things consume sugars as a major energy source, because sugar molecules have a great deal of energy stored within their bonds. This is a classic example of one of the many cellular processes that use and produce energy. Enzymes are important for catalyzing all types of biological reactions-those that require energy as well as those that release energy.Ĭonsider the metabolism of sugar. Each reaction step is facilitated, or catalyzed, by a protein called an enzyme. It is important to know that the chemical reactions of metabolic pathways do not take place on their own. Both types of pathways are required for maintaining the cell’s energy balance. Anabolic pathways are those that require energy to synthesize larger molecules. Figure 1 Catabolic pathways are those that generate energy by breaking down larger molecules. This means that metabolism is composed of synthesis (anabolism) and degradation (catabolism) ( Figure 1). ![]() Catabolism: breaking down polymers to release energy. ![]()
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