Week 3 Discussion: Cells and
Metabolism
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
● Textbook reading
● Lesson
● Minimum of 1 scholarly source
In your reference for this assignment, be sure to include both your
text/class materials AND your outside reading(s).
Initial Post Instructions
In this unit, we are learning about cells and cellular processes that are
crucial to life. Metabolic activities allow cells to derive energy from
nutrients and use it to carry out many functions. For your initial post
address one of the following questions.
, ● What is metabolism? Describe its importance to the cell.
Cellular metabolism is defined as the sum of biochemical processes in living organisms
that produce energy (DeBerardinis and Thompson, 2012). It comprises multiple pathways
and a network of interconnected reactions (Uppal, 2021). and provides the health status of
a cell. Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell which undergoes processes by uptaking
fuel sources and uses them as energy. Metabolic processes can be broken down into
either catabolism which breaks down molecules and converts nutrients to energy or
anabolism which synthesizes new biomolecules (Somasundaram et al., 2020). It is
important because it allows organisms to reproduce, respond to environmental changes,
and divide in order to maintain life.
● What is cellular respiration? What are its products?
Cellular respiration is the process by which chemical energy is released in the oxidation of
organic molecules (Cox, 2013). It involves the oxidation of nutrients and oxygen is reduced
to produce water, carbon dioxide, and energy. It constitutes ATP or Adenosine triphosphate
producing and oxygen-consuming processes (McClelland, 2011). It is called aerobic
respiration if it requires oxygen whereas it is called anaerobic respiration if it doesn't require
energy (Cox, 2013). Through the cellular respiration of organic compounds, energy for the
growth and maintenance of living organisms is acquired. This convert glucose and oxygen
into water and carbon dioxide.
● Is cellular respiration connected to physiological respiration? How?
Cellular respiration and physiological respiration are distinct from each other, they are
related but not the same process. Physiological respiration involves two processes,
external respiration through the steps of inhalation and exhalation, whereas internal
respiration involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood vessels
and cells. Cellular respiration, on the other hand, is also called internal respiration but
occurs in living cells. It involves the breakdown of glucose into water and carbon dioxide
which cause the release of energy. This energy is stored in the form of ATP molecules that
will be used in metabolic reactions.
Cellular metabolism
It sustains life in all living organisms.
It includes the synthesis and breakdown of molecules.
It transforms metabolites in order to fulfill biological functions.
An example of cellular metabolism is the breakdown of glucose.
The main purpose of metabolism is the conversion of energy into food.
Cellular respiration
It is a process wherein cells convert sugar into energy.
It is different from cellular metabolism.
Metabolism
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
● Textbook reading
● Lesson
● Minimum of 1 scholarly source
In your reference for this assignment, be sure to include both your
text/class materials AND your outside reading(s).
Initial Post Instructions
In this unit, we are learning about cells and cellular processes that are
crucial to life. Metabolic activities allow cells to derive energy from
nutrients and use it to carry out many functions. For your initial post
address one of the following questions.
, ● What is metabolism? Describe its importance to the cell.
Cellular metabolism is defined as the sum of biochemical processes in living organisms
that produce energy (DeBerardinis and Thompson, 2012). It comprises multiple pathways
and a network of interconnected reactions (Uppal, 2021). and provides the health status of
a cell. Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell which undergoes processes by uptaking
fuel sources and uses them as energy. Metabolic processes can be broken down into
either catabolism which breaks down molecules and converts nutrients to energy or
anabolism which synthesizes new biomolecules (Somasundaram et al., 2020). It is
important because it allows organisms to reproduce, respond to environmental changes,
and divide in order to maintain life.
● What is cellular respiration? What are its products?
Cellular respiration is the process by which chemical energy is released in the oxidation of
organic molecules (Cox, 2013). It involves the oxidation of nutrients and oxygen is reduced
to produce water, carbon dioxide, and energy. It constitutes ATP or Adenosine triphosphate
producing and oxygen-consuming processes (McClelland, 2011). It is called aerobic
respiration if it requires oxygen whereas it is called anaerobic respiration if it doesn't require
energy (Cox, 2013). Through the cellular respiration of organic compounds, energy for the
growth and maintenance of living organisms is acquired. This convert glucose and oxygen
into water and carbon dioxide.
● Is cellular respiration connected to physiological respiration? How?
Cellular respiration and physiological respiration are distinct from each other, they are
related but not the same process. Physiological respiration involves two processes,
external respiration through the steps of inhalation and exhalation, whereas internal
respiration involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood vessels
and cells. Cellular respiration, on the other hand, is also called internal respiration but
occurs in living cells. It involves the breakdown of glucose into water and carbon dioxide
which cause the release of energy. This energy is stored in the form of ATP molecules that
will be used in metabolic reactions.
Cellular metabolism
It sustains life in all living organisms.
It includes the synthesis and breakdown of molecules.
It transforms metabolites in order to fulfill biological functions.
An example of cellular metabolism is the breakdown of glucose.
The main purpose of metabolism is the conversion of energy into food.
Cellular respiration
It is a process wherein cells convert sugar into energy.
It is different from cellular metabolism.
