Role of Enzymes in Metabolic Pathways Summary Metabolic pathways are a sequences of steps found in biochemical reactions in which the product of one reaction is the substrate for the next reaction [3]. Metabolic pathways most likely happen in specific locations in the cell. The control of any metabolic process depends on control of the enzymes responsible for the reactions occur in the pathways. After food is added to the body, molecules in the digestive system called enzymes break proteins down into fats into fatty acids, amino acids, and carbohydrates into simple sugars (for example, glucose). Enzymes plays an important role in the different metabolic pathways [5]. Enzyme is a protein that made up of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen serving as a …show more content…
It is never used up in the chemical reaction, however it is recycled and used over and over again. Description Metabolic pathways are controlled by the presence or absence of particular enzymes in the metabolic pathway and also through the regulation of the rate of reaction of key enzymes within the pathway [1]. Each enzyme required for a step in metabolic pathway is a central point of control of the overall metabolic pathway. Without the specific enzyme to catalyze a reaction, the metabolism would be too slow to support life and the pathway cannot be completed [2]. These enzymes are similar to traffic lights. They can slow, speed up and stop metabolic processes. If a cells metabolic pathways were not regulated well, the chemical chaos would occur. Most of metabolic processes take place non-spontaneously, enzymes help make those chemical