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Ch.18 Metabolic Pathways and ATP Production
Timberlake - Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry 13th Edition
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksTimberlake 13th EditionCh.18 Metabolic Pathways and ATP ProductionProblem 92a
Chapter 18, Problem 92a

What metabolic substrate(s) can be produced from the carbon atoms of each of the following amino acids?
a. histidine

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the question. The problem asks which metabolic substrates can be produced from the carbon atoms of the amino acid histidine. This involves identifying the metabolic pathways histidine participates in and the products formed.
Step 2: Recall the metabolic fate of histidine. Histidine is an amino acid that can be broken down in the body through catabolic pathways. Its carbon skeleton is converted into intermediates that enter central metabolic pathways.
Step 3: Identify the key intermediate produced from histidine. Histidine is primarily converted into α-ketoglutarate, a key intermediate in the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle or TCA cycle). This conversion occurs after histidine is deaminated and undergoes further enzymatic reactions.
Step 4: Relate α-ketoglutarate to metabolic substrates. α-Ketoglutarate can be used in the citric acid cycle to produce energy (ATP) or serve as a precursor for gluconeogenesis, leading to the production of glucose. It can also contribute to the synthesis of other biomolecules.
Step 5: Summarize the metabolic substrates derived from histidine. The carbon atoms of histidine can ultimately contribute to the production of glucose (via gluconeogenesis) or energy (via the citric acid cycle). Additionally, they may be used for biosynthesis of other compounds depending on cellular needs.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Amino Acid Metabolism

Amino acid metabolism involves the biochemical processes that break down amino acids for energy or convert them into other compounds. Each amino acid can be deaminated, leading to the production of various metabolic substrates, such as glucose or fatty acids, depending on the specific amino acid and the body's needs.
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Histidine Catabolism

Histidine is an essential amino acid that can be catabolized to produce several metabolites, including histamine and α-ketoglutarate. The breakdown of histidine involves several enzymatic reactions, ultimately contributing to the synthesis of important biomolecules and energy production in the body.
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Metabolic Substrates

Metabolic substrates are the molecules that serve as the starting materials for metabolic pathways. In the context of amino acids, these substrates can include intermediates that enter the citric acid cycle or precursors for gluconeogenesis, which are crucial for energy production and maintaining metabolic balance.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

One cell at work may break down 2 million (2 000 000) ATP molecules in one second. Some researchers estimate that the human body has about 1013 cells.

b. If ATP has a molar mass of 507 g/mole, how many grams of ATP are hydrolyzed in one day?

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Textbook Question

When pyruvate is used to form acetyl CoA, the product has only two carbon atoms. What happened to the third carbon?

Textbook Question

State if each of the following processes release or require ATP: 

f. first six reactions of glycolysis

Textbook Question

What metabolic substrate(s) can be produced from the carbon atoms of each of the following amino acids?

d. phenylalanine

Textbook Question

In the chemiosmotic model, how is energy provided to synthesize ATP?

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Textbook Question

If there are no reactions in the citric acid cycle that use oxygen, O2, why does the cycle operate only in aerobic conditions?