Exercises: Heterotrophic anabolism

Define heterotrophic anabolism and give two specific examples of anabolic processes in a human cell (protein synthesis, fatty acid synthesis, or glycogen synthesis), stating what these processes consume (ATP, NADPH, and precursors).

To manufacture its proteins, a cell needs amino acids, energy, and information. Explain where a human cell obtains each of these three things.

Explain what glycogen is, in which organs it is mainly synthesized, and from which precursor it is formed, stating whether the process consumes or releases energy.

Protein synthesis is one of the processes that consume the most energy in the cell. State in which steps of the synthesis energy is spent (activation of the amino acids, translation) and explain why a cell that makes many proteins needs to respire intensely.

During digestion, nutrients are broken down into small molecules and anabolism does the opposite. Give two examples of polymers that the human body makes from monomers coming from the diet and state which is the monomer of each one.

Muscle proteins are degraded and resynthesized constantly even though the muscle does not grow. Explain what this protein turnover consists of and what implication it has for energy expenditure at rest.

What role does the liver play in anabolism? Name two synthesis processes it carries out (glycogen, plasma proteins, cholesterol, fatty acids) and explain one of them briefly.

Reason why essential amino acids must be supplied through the diet while non-essential ones do not need to be, and explain what metabolic problem arises when a diet is deficient in complete proteins.

After a carbohydrate-rich meal, insulin secretion increases. Explain what anabolic processes insulin activates in the liver, in muscle, and in adipose tissue, and what happens to those same processes during the period between meals.

A person loses $5\ \text{kg}$ of body fat after months of diet and exercise. Explain what has happened metabolically to that adipose tissue (lipolysis and oxidation of the fatty acids) and explain why most of the lost carbon leaves the body as exhaled $\text{CO}_2$.