EMBDEN-MEYERHOF-PARNAS PATHWAY Meaning and
Definition
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The Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway, also known as glycolysis, is a vital metabolic pathway that occurs in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It represents one of the fundamental pathways involved in the breakdown of glucose to produce energy in the form of ATP.
During the EMP pathway, glucose, a six-carbon sugar molecule, is gradually converted into two molecules of pyruvate, with the concomitant generation of energy. This process occurs in several steps, each catalyzed by specific enzymes. Initially, glucose is phosphorylated to glucose-6-phosphate using an ATP molecule. Subsequently, glucose-6-phosphate undergoes a series of reactions, leading to the production of two molecules of pyruvate. Along this pathway, four ATP molecules are synthesized, but two are consumed, resulting in a net gain of two ATP molecules per glucose molecule. Additionally, two molecules of NADH are produced, which can be utilized in oxidative phosphorylation to produce more ATP in the mitochondria.
The EMP pathway is not only crucial for energy production but also serves as a central metabolic hub from which various other important metabolic pathways, such as the pentose phosphate pathway and the synthesis of nucleotides and amino acids, branch off. It plays a vital role in cellular respiration, providing energy for the functioning of different cellular processes, including muscle contraction, cell division, and synthesis of macromolecules.
In conclusion, the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway is a metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, generating energy in the form of ATP. It is a crucial process for cellular respiration and sets the foundation for various other important metabolic pathways.
Etymology of EMBDEN-MEYERHOF-PARNAS PATHWAY
The word "Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway" is a combined name representing the contributions of three scientists: Gustav Embden, Otto Meyerhof, and Jakub Karol Parnas.
Otto Meyerhof, a German physiologist, initiated groundbreaking research on the metabolism of carbohydrates in the early 20th century. He discovered that glucose metabolism occurred through a series of reactions inside the cytoplasm of cells, leading to the formation of energy-rich molecules, such as ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Meyerhof's studies focused on the breakdown of glucose to pyruvate, a process known as glycolysis.
Gustav Embden, also a German scientist and physician, worked independently on similar research during the same time period. Embden's research was focused on elucidating the pathways involved in glucose metabolism and the role of ATP in energy production.
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