The glycolic pathway provides a source of energy essential for the proper functioning of the body. What is this ? How does it work? What happens in the event of glycolytic pathway disorders? Is there a treatment? Explanations.
What is the definition of the glycolytic system or glycolysis?
Behind this somewhat complicated name, there is in reality a phenomenon essential to the proper functioning of our body since it is the way in which cells provide themselves with energy, and, in turn, provide it. to the entire organism.
Glycolysis is a biochemical process, present in all living organisms, which consists of splitting glucose molecules into small molecules in the body to release energy, as its name suggests since “Glyco” means “sugar” while that “lyse” means “to destroy”. Glucose is supplied to our body through food. This molecule is present in foods such as fruits, cereals, legumes, etc.
Glucose, pyruvate… How does glycolysis produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate)?
When ingested, glucose undergoes numerous breakdowns by the body's various enzymes. “Glycolysis will then produce 2 molecules of pyruvate, which in turn release energy in the form of 2 molecules of ATP, a key molecule in cellular energy.explains Florence Foucaut, dietitian-nutritionist.
ATP is a nucleotide, that is to say a molecule formed by a sugar with 5 carbon atoms. It helps transport energy throughout the body for different processes.
What is glycolytic activity?
Glycolysis occurs aerobically and anaerobically.
What is aerobic glycolysis?
It occurs inside cells in the presence of oxygen. More efficient than its anaerobic counterpart, this phenomenon produces a lot of ATP using several enzymatic reactions.
What is anaerobic (or anaerobic lactic) glycolysis?
It produces only a small amount of ATP and occurs in the absence of oxygen. The end result is the production of lactic acid.
What is the role of glycolysis?
The glycolic pathway is a metabolic pathway for breaking down glucose to provide the energy necessary for the proper functioning of cells, organs, muscles and the brain. “It essentially occurs when cells need to quickly generate energy sources, mainly during situations with high energy demands (physical activity, exams, etc.)“, specifies Florence Foucaut.
Where does glycolysis occur?
All this operation takes place at a specific location in the cell: the cytosol, matrix of the cytoplasm, the part of the cell which surrounds the nucleus.
What are the abnormalities of the glycolytic chain?
Sometimes glucose splitting goes wrong. The cause ? “Hereditary disorders, genetic mutations which lead to a defect in the synthesis of the different enzymes necessary for the transformation of glucose into pyruvate., replies Florence Foucaut. The most common is pyruvate kinase deficiency. Although rare, this defect can lead to hemolytic anemia. To detect it, it is necessary to measure the ATP level.
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What does the treatment consist of ?
There are no specific treatments for anemia caused by abnormalities of the glycolytic pathway. Iron supplementation as well as folic acid may be prescribed to treat the symptoms, or even, in the most extreme cases, a blood transfusion.
