Answer
The term for a chain of linked enzymatic reactions is "metabolic pathway." Metabolic pathways are sequences of enzymatic reactions that occur within cells to transform specific molecules (input) into different molecules (output), often through a series of intermediate steps.
- **Input:** The initial molecule or substrate that enters a metabolic pathway is referred to as the "substrate" or "reactant." This is the molecule that undergoes a series of chemical transformations.
- **Output:** The final product of a metabolic pathway is often referred to as the "product" or "end product." It is the molecule that results from the series of enzymatic reactions.
- **Intermediate Steps:** The term for the molecules formed between the initial substrate and the final product within a metabolic pathway is "intermediates" or "intermediate compounds." These intermediates are transient molecules that are produced and then further modified by subsequent enzymes in the pathway until the final product is reached.
Metabolic pathways are fundamental to the regulation and coordination of various cellular processes, including energy production, biosynthesis of macromolecules, and the breakdown of nutrients. Examples of metabolic pathways include glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and the electron transport chain in cellular respiration, as well as pathways involved in amino acid biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, and many others. These pathways ensure that the cell efficiently utilizes and converts molecules to meet its energy and building block requirements.
Work Step by Step
The term for a chain of linked enzymatic reactions is "metabolic pathway." Metabolic pathways are sequences of enzymatic reactions that occur within cells to transform specific molecules (input) into different molecules (output), often through a series of intermediate steps.
- **Input:** The initial molecule or substrate that enters a metabolic pathway is referred to as the "substrate" or "reactant." This is the molecule that undergoes a series of chemical transformations.
- **Output:** The final product of a metabolic pathway is often referred to as the "product" or "end product." It is the molecule that results from the series of enzymatic reactions.
- **Intermediate Steps:** The term for the molecules formed between the initial substrate and the final product within a metabolic pathway is "intermediates" or "intermediate compounds." These intermediates are transient molecules that are produced and then further modified by subsequent enzymes in the pathway until the final product is reached.
Metabolic pathways are fundamental to the regulation and coordination of various cellular processes, including energy production, biosynthesis of macromolecules, and the breakdown of nutrients. Examples of metabolic pathways include glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and the electron transport chain in cellular respiration, as well as pathways involved in amino acid biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, and many others. These pathways ensure that the cell efficiently utilizes and converts molecules to meet its energy and building block requirements.
