Metabolic Pathways Help

[Neopluto]

I'm not sure where else to post this but,
I'm having a lot of trouble learning these. I've tried to "understand" the general pathways first, but that didn't work out and I need to know them to a much higher level of detail. I've tried to just memorize these and that also has not turned out well. I'm really at a loss for what to do, and well, I would really like to graduate, so any help regarding that would be greatly appreciated.

[BennieBlanco]

Originally Posted by Neopluto

I'm not sure where else to post this but,
I'm having a lot of trouble learning these. I've tried to "understand" the general pathways first, but that didn't work out and I need to know them to a much higher level of detail. I've tried to just memorize these and that also has not turned out well. I'm really at a loss for what to do, and well, I would really like to graduate, so any help regarding that would be greatly appreciated.

Good news, this is one of the easier parts of MCAT prep. The reason why you are struggling is likely the same reason some people struggle in calculus or other advanced classes. You need some basic fundamental knowledge (in calc it is trig/algebra) to work with the material. Sometimes in MCAT prep books they glance over the key points and don't really explain things to well.

Make sure your chem/ochem skills are good, then go get a biochem textbook from the library (look on amazon.com to see the best ones), then read a chapter on metabolism. This will be WAYYYY more detail then you need to know but it should make sense, the author Berg has a good biochem book. I am in a metabolism class now and am using it.

Make sure you understand basics, like proteins, carbs, lipids etc. Then when you apply it to biochem pathways it is pretty simple. They are just maps at that point.

If something I wrote isn't clear then ask again! Good luck, you will do fine.

[Neopluto]

Sorry Bennie, I guess I wasn't very clear. This is not for the MCATs, I just saw "study tactics" here which is why this is posted here. I'm in a biochem class, so I really really have to know my stuff. The exams ask for an excellent command of the pathway intermediates as well as the enzymes and cofactors. Reframing my question in that regard, do you have any advice for me?

[BennieBlanco]

Originally Posted by Neopluto

Sorry Bennie, I guess I wasn't very clear. This is not for the MCATs, I just saw "study tactics" here which is why this is posted here. I'm in a biochem class, so I really really have to know my stuff. The exams ask for an excellent command of the pathway intermediates as well as the enzymes and cofactors. Reframing my question in that regard, do you have any advice for me?

Oh. well, it is basically the same thing. I don't think there is any secret. A good idea as a tactic that I use is a white board. You take the pathway and draw it from memory again and again, maybe even talking out the pathway as you draw. Using color also will involve all 3 learning modalities (visual, kinesthetic, and auditory). This will maximize your learning time.

Other than that, what is the issue? Not understanding how the pathway works or just memorizing all the enzymes and intermediates?

I'm afraid there is no remedy for the later other than time and repetition. Spreading out learning sessions also maximizes retention.

The whys come from clearly knowing the beginning and end of each.

[BennieBlanco]

metabolic pathways have the simple goal of taking metabolites to convert into energy to resist entropy of the universe, creating an ordered internal system. Once death occurs, you no longer metabolize and therefore your system will no longer resist homeostasis with the surrounding environment.

metabolites --> energy --> create order and resist disorder

This is the basis of all metabolism. The rest is just enzymes, intermediates, concentrations, etc.

[Neopluto]

So, start earlier and spread the work out. Understand the big picture and memorize through repeated writing? I know it sound quite childish, but I almost feel like only I have this problem. My classmates seem to get along just fine. In any case, I guess I'll just try harder. Thanks a lot.

[BennieBlanco]

Originally Posted by Neopluto

So, start earlier and spread the work out. Understand the big picture and memorize through repeated writing? I know it sound quite childish, but I almost feel like only I have this problem. My classmates seem to get along just fine. In any case, I guess I'll just try harder. Thanks a lot.

There are 2 groups. Those that try hard and those that don't.

It is better to be in the first group, because eventually you can't get by on talent alone.

Definitely spread the work out. You should like you got it, you will do fine! Good luck.

[rama kandra]

just bought a white board, haha.

[BennieBlanco]

Originally Posted by rama kandra

just bought a white board, haha.

People underestimate white boards. Use various colors (Red, Blue, Green) and you have a visual/audio/kinesthetic learning session with no need to waste paper.

I am a visual learner, so it is among my best strategies.

[kylerhodes]

A metabolic pathway is a series of interconnected reactions that share common mechanisms. Each reaction is dependent on a specific precursor: a chemical, an enzyme, or the transfer of energy. One of the first studies of metabolic pathways was carried out in 1909 by the British physician Archibald Garrod (1857-1936). His study suggested a link between the inability to make a particular enzyme and inherited disease. The disease was alkaptonuria, a condition in which urine darkens upon exposure to air, due to the presence of the chemical alkapton. Garrod's discovery was one of the first incidents of a physical manifestation being tied to a specific metabolic disorder.

[BennieBlanco]

Originally Posted by kylerhodes

A metabolic pathway is a series of interconnected reactions that share common mechanisms. Each reaction is dependent on a specific precursor: a chemical, an enzyme, or the transfer of energy. One of the first studies of metabolic pathways was carried out in 1909 by the British physician Archibald Garrod (1857-1936). His study suggested a link between the inability to make a particular enzyme and inherited disease. The disease was alkaptonuria, a condition in which urine darkens upon exposure to air, due to the presence of the chemical alkapton. Garrod's discovery was one of the first incidents of a physical manifestation being tied to a specific metabolic disorder.

In biochemistry metabolic pathways are series of chemical reactions occurring within a cell. In each pathway, a principal chemical is modified by chemical reactions. Enzymes catalyze these reactions, and often require dietary minerals, vitamins, and other cofactors in order to function properly. Because of the many chemicals that may be involved, pathways can be quite elaborate. In addition, many pathways can exist within a cell. This collection of pathways is called the metabolic network. Pathways are important to the maintenance of homeostasis within an organimsm.
Metabolism is a step-by-step modification of the initial molecule to shape it into another product. The result can be used in one of three ways; to be stored by the cell; To be used immediately, as a metabolic product; or to initiate another metabolic pathway, called a flux generating step.
An increase in concentration of anabolic and catabolic end-products would slow the metabolic rate for that particular pathway.


The Sun has a diameter of about 865,000 miles.


Thespeed of light (usually denoted c) is the speed at which electromagnetic radiation travels in vacuum. Its value is 299,792,458 meters per second.

My Grandmother was born in 1940.