All the chemical reactions that take place in an organism.

What is an anabolic reaction?

A reaction that builds up larger molecules from smaller ones.

What is a catabolic reaction?

A reaction that breaks down larger molecules into smaller ones.

Give two examples of anabolic reactions.

Photosynthesis and protein synthesis.

Is photosynthesis anabolic or catabolic? Why?

Anabolic: it builds glucose from carbon dioxide and water.

Is respiration anabolic or catabolic? Why?

Catabolic: it breaks glucose down into carbon dioxide and water.

Is digestion anabolic or catabolic? Why?

Catabolic: it breaks large food molecules into small ones.

What is protein synthesis?

Joining amino acids together to make a protein (an anabolic reaction).

Is diffusion of oxygen into a cell part of metabolism?

No: it is a physical process, not a chemical reaction.

How can you remember the difference between anabolic and catabolic?

Anabolic = add up and build; catabolic = cut up and break down.

Metabolism, anabolism and catabolismIB MYP Biology: Flashcards

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What is metabolism?

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What is metabolism?: All the chemical reactions that take place in an organism.
What is an anabolic reaction?: A reaction that builds up larger molecules from smaller ones.
What is a catabolic reaction?: A reaction that breaks down larger molecules into smaller ones.
Give two examples of anabolic reactions.: Photosynthesis and protein synthesis.
Give two examples of catabolic reactions.: Respiration and digestion.
Is photosynthesis anabolic or catabolic? Why?: Anabolic: it builds glucose from carbon dioxide and water.
Is respiration anabolic or catabolic? Why?: Catabolic: it breaks glucose down into carbon dioxide and water.
Is digestion anabolic or catabolic? Why?: Catabolic: it breaks large food molecules into small ones.
What is protein synthesis?: Joining amino acids together to make a protein (an anabolic reaction).
Which organisms have a metabolism?: All living organisms.
Is diffusion of oxygen into a cell part of metabolism?: No: it is a physical process, not a chemical reaction.
How can you remember the difference between anabolic and catabolic?: Anabolic = add up and build; catabolic = cut up and break down.

Exam questions on Metabolism, anabolism and catabolism

After a meal of rice and lentils in Mumbai, a student's body digests the food. Later her cells use some of the glucose to release energy, and use amino acids from the lentils to build new proteins for growth and repair.
State whether digestion of the lentils and building new proteins are catabolic or anabolic, giving a reason for each.2 marks
A mango tree in Kerala, India, stands in bright sunshine. Its leaves make glucose, and all the living cells in the tree, including those in its roots, release energy from that glucose.
Explain why photosynthesis is described as an anabolic reaction.2 marks
A student investigates how temperature affects the metabolism of woodlice, which are cold-blooded animals. She seals 10 woodlice in a respirometer tube containing soda lime, which absorbs carbon dioxide, and places it in a water bath. As the woodlice use oxygen, a drop of coloured liquid in a capillary tube moves towards them, and she measures how far it moves in 10 minutes. She repeats this at 10 °C, 20 °C and 30 °C, and the liquid moves 4 mm, 9 mm and 19 mm.
State a hypothesis for this investigation with a scientific reason, and name the independent and dependent variables.3 marks

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Written by the Exaim team, led by Shaun Daswani (Head of Upper Secondary, Improve ME Institute; MSc Financial Mathematics, Imperial College London; BSc, UCL) and Jason Daswani (operational lead, Improve ME Institute; LSE).