Metabolism

Metabolism
Name
Course
Institution
Date
Utilizing knowledge from your learning and assigned readings, respond to the following questions:Ketosis develops in the postabsorptive state. What is ketosis? Why does it develop? What metabolic effects does it have?
Ketosis is a process that occurs when the body has insufficient carbohydrates to burn for energy, which necessitates burning fat and making ketone bodies for fuel. Among healthy individuals, the liver continuously produces ketone bodies, and the presence of ketones in the bloodstream lowers blood pH. During prolonged starvation, the level of ketone bodies increases, and this needs to be controlled by buffers. When the ketones exceed the buffering capacities, there is a drastic fall in the pH (Marieb & Smith, 2016). During the postabsorptive state, the liver stabilizes the blood glucose concentration.
What happens during protein catabolism? How is this related to nitrogen balance?
. The catabolism of proteins results in the conversion of amino acids into intermediates for the TCA cycle (tricarboxylic acid cycle) or Krebs cycle. Protein molecules are broken down proteins, where HCL and pepsin help get denatured and partially hydrolyzed protein. Amino acids are reused for protein synthesis (anabolism) or broken down to make glucose or used in the TCA cycle to make energy. Then the protein is further broken down into small peptides and amino acids, and there is active transport of the amino acids in the bloodstream. The liver releases urea into the blood stream, which is the main organic waste in the blood stream. Urea in the blood is measured as the Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) level, which indicates the urea nitrogen in the blood. Additionally, Nitrogen intake is via proteins, and loss is through urine excretion, fecal loss, and sweat. Protein catabolism is an impractical source of quick energy as proteins are more challenging to break down, and ammonium ions, one of protein catabolism by-products, are toxic (Marieb & Smith, 20116). When the total catabolism exceeds the total anabolism, body protein is broken down at a higher rate and more nitrogen is excreted through urine and there is negative nitrogen balance.
Briefly outline the role of the liver in glucose metabolism.
The liver secretes bile juice necessary for glucose meta...