Is this map of metabolic pathways comprehensive or are there missing components?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comprehensiveness of a map depicting metabolic pathways, with participants exploring the complexity of biological systems and questioning whether certain components, such as photosynthesis and specific metabolic processes, are included or omitted.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight the complexity of biological systems as illustrated by the metabolic pathways graphic.
  • One participant identifies the circular part of the graphic as the Krebs cycle, suggesting it represents core metabolism and may have origins in pre-life conditions.
  • Another participant expresses difficulty in engaging with biochemistry compared to other subjects, indicating a personal struggle with the material.
  • A participant mentions the graphic as an appealing image for office decoration but notes that it is incomplete, specifically lacking photosynthesis and other metabolic processes like ascorbate synthesis.
  • There is a suggestion that the map may primarily represent human cell metabolism, excluding other organisms like dogs that can synthesize ascorbate independently.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the completeness of the metabolic pathways map, with some agreeing on its complexity while others point out specific omissions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the comprehensiveness of the graphic.

Contextual Notes

Limitations noted include the absence of photosynthesis and specific metabolic pathways, as well as potential biases in the representation of metabolism across different organisms.

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The circular part in the middle is the Krebs cycle or the TCA (TriCarboxylic Acid) cycle.
This has been also called core metabolism.

It is thought to have been the beginnings of metabolism before commonly recognized life. Parts or most of it are thought to be auto-catalytic, possibly with the aid of naturally occurring mineral catalysts.
Other pathways were elaborted from this core of metabolism.
 
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BWV said:
can get some idea of the complexity of biological systems from this graphic

https://faculty.cc.gatech.edu/~turk/bio_sim/articles/metabolic_pathways.png
I can't open it but my friend had a T shirt, I bet it is something like your link. He studied Biochemistry. Why would you do that? JUST Biochemistry?
The most interesting part of A level Biology but when I hit Uni I realized Biochemistry was a lot of stuff that did not stay in my head as well as some of the other modules!
 
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As an undergrad, I took a lot of chemistry.
I considered it a lot less interesting with each successive class until I got to biochemistry and the chemistry being studied better matched up with (and helped to further understand) my biological interests.
 
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Fra said:
Awesome image!
Aren't we all sick and tired of slmple wallpapers? May o use it to print a wallpaper for my office? 🤣

/Fredrik
There used to be a poster-print handed out by Boehringer Mannheim (here in Europe). You night want to ask their follow-up company - Roche - whether they still have it. But... ...I frankly doubt they'll supply you with enough copies for your wallpapering project.

Nice thing to have in your office when you're a bichemist or molecular biologist, though.Also, this map is incomplete - photosynthesis is missing. So it's only a map of the animal / fungal / bacterial metabolism. Also - I only screened it - e,g, ascorbate synthesis also seems to be missing... ...so it's probably ohly the human cell metabolism (e.g. dogs synthesise ascorbate on their own)..
 

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