Energy Production

The Facts in Brief

Do you want to know how every cell in your body produces energy in a nutshell? Then keep on reading. You’ll find our explanation simple and fun to read.

Your body uses the energy released during the breakdown of glucose to carbon dioxide and water. The energy is released gradually to form ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecule. Think of ATP as an energy-containing packet. It’s used as an energy source for several biochemical reactions.

Other good sources of fuel are glycogen and triglycerides. They differ from glucose-obtained energy because they’re not used up as quickly after being formed. They’re better storage forms of fuel to produce energy from later. If your body runs out of glucose, glycogen and triglycerides are broken down and used to produce ATP. At this point, it’s important to remember that there are other molecules which serve as sources of energy besides the three mentioned here.

Now that you know the main currency of energy (ATP), let’s look at how that currency is produced. The main pathway for energy production can be split into three parts. Let’s visit a carnival. The first stage of energy production takes place in the Covered Walk (glycolysis) towards the Ferris Wheel ride. The second stage is the Ferris Wheel ride (Kreb’s cycle). The third stage is the Ferris Wheel Generator (oxidative phosphorylation).

1. Glycolysis (Covered Walk). You and your friend decide to take a ride on the Ferris wheel. You pass through a covered area where you fall in line and buy tickets. You hold your friend's hand while waiting. Together, you and your friend can be viewed as a molecule of glucose made up of carbon atoms. Whenever glucose is broken down, energy is released.

Unfortunately, your friend chickened out and decided to watch you ride from a bench nearby (like what happens in the process of hydrolysis where glucose becomes another molecule called acetyl CoA). You’re now that molecule, acetyl CoA riding the Ferris wheel.
2. Krebs cycle (Ferris Wheel). The wheel starts to turn. The Krebs cycle is just like a Ferris wheel where passengers get on and then get off when the ride is over. In place of passengers, think of molecules (like you, the acetyl CoA) which take a ride and come off the Ferris wheel to be used to produce ATP in the Ferris Wheel Generator (another process called oxidative phosphorylation). Whenever the wheel turns, energy is produced.

Once the ride is over and you leave the Ferris wheel, you have left some dirt and rubbish (leftover snacks) behind. Your snacks can be viewed as electrons, passed along an elaborate bucket brigade of molecules which ends in a reaction with oxygen (wheelie bin). The Krebs cycle is also called the TCA (tricarboxylic acid) and citric acid cycle. The Krebs Cycle happens inside the mitochondria of all your cells.
3. Oxidative phosphorylation (Ferris Wheel Generator). This is the part which makes the wheel turn. It’s actually where most of the generation of ATP (energy) takes place. The series of reactions here happen with oxygen (oxidation) and the addition of a phosphate group (phosphorylation). Both reactions (oxidation and phosphorylation) are said to be coupled to one another. Like the Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation happens inside the mitochondria of your cells.

How can you optimise energy production?

At each turn of the Ferris Wheel, you will require certain nutrients to continue on successfully. Ensuring you have these nutrients will maximise your energy production:

Amino acids are an alternative supply of fuel to your Krebs cycle. They can be converted to glucose via the Krebs cycle so they can be used for energy. Make sure you’re getting complete protein with each meal.
In the Krebs cycle, acetyl CoA requires cofactors including thiamine (vitamin B1), niacin (vitamin B3), riboflavin (vitamin B2), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and lipoic acid. If you’re deficient in any of these, your energy production will be compromised. So load up on these cofactors.
Some xenobiotics bind to enzymes involved in the Krebs cycle. If these enzymes are inhibited from taking part in the biochemical reactions, energy production will suffer. So stay clear of plastics and chemicals, particularly when it comes to your food and drinks.

Thank you for sticking with us on our ride through the body's energy production system. This helps us to appreciate just how much work our body puts in each day to keep us going. So do your part by eating well and getting enough B vitamins and other nutrients in your diet.

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Feeling Tired? Common Causes for Low Energy Levels.

How your Metabolism Works


Vitamin B	Protein Powder

Amino acid	Antioxidants

References

Lieberman, M., Marks, A. D., & Peet, A. (2013). Marks' basic medical biochemistry: a clinical approach (fourth Ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Marshall, W. J., Lapsley, M., Day, A. P., & Ayling, R. M. (Eds.). (2014). Clinical biochemistry: metabolic and clinical aspects (third ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
Hall, J. E. (2016). Guyton and Hall textbook of medical physiology (thirteenth ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
http://www.austincc.edu/emeyerth/krebs1.htm
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/biocoach/cellresp/krebs.html
http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/cellrespiration/citricacidcycle/section2/
https://www.wiley.com/legacy/college/boyer/0470003790/animations/tca/tca.htm