How Do NADH and NADPH Differ in Metabolism?

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SUMMARY

NADH and NADPH serve distinct roles in metabolism: NADH is primarily involved in catabolic pathways, while NADPH is utilized in anabolic pathways, particularly in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Key metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (CAC), and oxidative phosphorylation, are interconnected, with glycolysis producing pyruvate, which enters the CAC. Gluconeogenesis functions as the reverse of glycolysis, utilizing similar enzymes with specific bypasses. Understanding these relationships is crucial for mastering metabolic processes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic knowledge of metabolic pathways: glycolysis, citric acid cycle (CAC), and gluconeogenesis
  • Understanding of NADH and NADPH roles in metabolism
  • Familiarity with the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP)
  • Concept of enzyme bypasses in metabolic reactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the role of NADH in catabolic pathways
  • Explore the function of NADPH in anabolic pathways and photosynthesis
  • Investigate the connections between glycolysis and the citric acid cycle
  • Learn about the specific enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis that bypass glycolysis
USEFUL FOR

Students preparing for exams in biochemistry, educators teaching metabolic pathways, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of cellular metabolism.

cthor
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I am studying for an exam tomorrow and am having a hard time understanding a couple of things.

What exactly if the difference in the chemistry and metabloic role of NADH and NADPH?

and

How are metabolic pathways (glycolysis, PPP, gluconeogenesis, citrc acid cycle, and oxid. phosphorylation) connected to each other? and what intermediates connect glycolysis to CAC and glycolysis to gluconeogenesis?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
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NADH is used for catabolic pathways while NADPH is used for anabolic pathways. NADPH shows up in the pentose phosphate pathway.

Glycolysis, TCA, and oxidative phosphorylation should be easy to see the connection between each other since they're usually taught as a unit. What is the finaly product of glycolysis? It's that molecule that enters the citric acid cycle. Gluconeogenesis is functionally the opposite of glycolysis and uses most of the same enzymes except for two. A typical exam question is to explain the relationship between the glycolysis enzymes and the gluconeogenesis enzymes that bypass them.
 
the way i remember the difference b/t NADH and NADPH is that NADPH is used in photosynthesis...remember the P for photosynthesis...lol just a little study tip
 

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