Understanding Energy Production: Glycolysis and Metabolic Pathways
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Step 1: Glycolysis - What Happens?
1 glucose molecule is split into two 3-carbon molecules called pyruvate.
Who Controls It? Enzymes. Where? Cytosol. Result? Two molecules of ATP are produced.
Step 2: Oxidative Respiration - The pyruvate molecules made during glycolysis still have a lot of potential to make more energy (ATP). What Happens? The 2 pyruvate molecules now go through oxidative respiration where they produce carbon dioxide, water, and 34 ATP! Where? Mitochondria.
Three Metabolic Pathways - Within these two systems, aerobic vs. anaerobic, there are three main metabolic pathways by which ATP energy reserves are restored.
The ATP-PC Pathway: Anaerobic Alactic.
The Glycolysis Pathway: Anaerobic Lactic.
Cellular Respiration: Aerobic - It is the action of these three pathways that allow for not only all forms of physical activity but our vital processes as well (neural activity, breathing, organ function, etc.).
Pathway 1: ATP-PC (Anaerobic Alactic) - The enormous burst of ATP required to push off the blocks during a 100m sprint is produced anaerobically. The ATP-PC system is the simplest of the two anaerobic pathways and can produce ATP for the first 10-15 seconds of physical activity. The ATP-PC, also known as The Phosphagen System, relies on the action of phosphocreatine, a compound that is normally stored in the muscle and readily accessible. Like ATP, phosphocreatine (PC) is a high-energy molecule where phosphate can be removed and the energy released can be used to convert ADP back to ATP. Why only 10-15 seconds?
Skeletal muscles only have a small reservoir of PC that can only supply the ATP demands of a short intensive activity for 10-15 seconds, at which point it is completely depleted.
No by-product, does not require O2. In sports, the ATP-PC system is important in power events such as the 50 and 100 meter dash, high jump, and Olympic weightlifting. This system is important in these events because the ATP-PC system provides the highest rate of ATP production in the shortest amount of time. Once PC stores have been depleted, a second ATP system is required to produce ATP.