Question
Question: Can amino acid be converted to acetyl CoA?...
Can amino acid be converted to acetyl CoA?
Solution
Acetyl coenzyme A contributes to various metabolic reactions such as - protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It is two substrate molecules. Amino acid can be converted to acetyl coenzyme A by deaminated amino acids which convert pyruvate to acetyl A, the pathway is a citric acid cycle known as C3 cycle.
Complete answer-
Amino acid can be converted to acetyl coenzyme A but not all amino acids can be converted. The pathway used for conversion is gluconeogenesis. formation of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors is called Gluconeogenesis. The metabolic pathway is vital because the brain depends on glucose for its activity.
Gluconeogenesis is the conversion of fatty acid and ketogenic amino acids to synthesize glucose. Fatty acids cannot be converted back to pyruvate. As a result, fatty acids can’t be won’t synthesize glucose.
Acetyl coenzyme A is the final pathway for the substrates that is- free fatty acids, glucose and lactate. The function it delivers is to the citric acid cycle to be oxidized for energy production. The energy released is in the form of ATP and GTP per acetyl group.
Through direct synthesis carbon sources can be determined like- high glucose levels, increasing amount of citrate from the tricarboxylic acid cycle. It can be extramitochondrial and intramitochondrial.
Starch is a source of carbohydrates which are abundant in food items like- rice, wheat, barley. These cereals have carbohydrates in abundance. Human beings can easily digest these cereals and obtain energy from them. cellulose is the main component in the plant cells which function is to make the plant stiff and upright so that the plant does not lose its firmness.
Note:
Carbohydrates are often classified into Monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides. The monosaccharides are often called simple sugars which possess a free aldehyde. Only one sugar molecule is present in monosaccharides. Carbohydrates which possess sugars are- Glucose, glycose, ribose.