Title: Integrated Web Site to Accompany Discovering Nutrition, Second Edition
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Spotlight on Metabolism Interactive Summaries

Breakdown and Release of Energy

Although each energy bearing nutrient initially follows a different metabolic pathway, they all follow the and the electron transport chain. During glycolysis one molecule of glucose yields NADH, a net of two and pyruvate. In the next step of carbohydrate metabolism, pyruvate is converted to . Without oxygen, pyruvate cannot be converted to this substance. In this case, it is rerouted to form . begins when acetyl CoA combines with oxaloacetate to yield citrate. This cycle produces most of the energy-rich molecules that ultimately generate ATP. It is also an important source of building blocks for fatty acids and . The electron transport chain is the last step in glucose breakdown and occurs in the inner membrane. produced in the citric acid cycle delivers its high energy electrons to the beginning of the chain. At the end of the chain, oxygen accepts the energy depleted electrons and then reacts with hydrogen to form water. The three end products of glucose catabolism are water, and ATP.

 
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