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Learning objectives
1. Know what the brain uses as its energy source 2. List the processes in the brain that require energy 3. Understand what happens in the brain during starvation
a. 15% of the cardiac output b. 20% of total body oxygen consumption c. 25% of total body glucose utilization
The brain thrives on glucose and oxygen!!!
a. About 2/3 of energy is used to help neurons (nerve cells) send signals. b. This requires a continuous passage of Na+, Ca2+ and K+ ions to ensure that neurons can recharge in order to fire the impulses when required. This requires ATP molecules 2. The remaining 1/3 is used for housekeeping purposes or cell-health maintenance. This helps to keep the brain cells alive. There is need to maintain a proper ionic balance inside and outside cells and this requires ATP too. Any ionic imbalances can cause cells to swell leading to strokes and other precarious conditions.
Glycolysis pathway
Preparatory Phase
Two molecules of ATP consumed
Payoff Phase
four molecules of ATP produced, net gain of 2 ATP molecules
Livers Role
Gluconeogenesis
Some molecules can be converted to glucose:
1. Lactate & pyruvate: mainly come from muscles 2. Glycerol: supplied by adipose tissue when triglycerides are broken down3. Fatty acids cannot be converted into glucose, but: Fatty acid metabolism indirectly supports gluconeogenesis by producing AcetylCoA 4. AcetylCoA activates and inhibits key enzymes, promoting glucose formation 5. Amino acids: 20 of the 22 amino acids can be converted to glucose through gluconeogenesis
2. Ketone Bodies
1. Under particular conditions, such as starvation, diabetes mellitus, or in breast-fed neonates, plasma levels of the ketone bodies (acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate) increase markedly. Under these conditions, these two ketone bodies can be used by the brain as metabolic substrates. This requires their reverse conversion to acety-CoA which rejoins the TCA cycle, the resulting NADH and FADH2 joins the ETC producing more ATP molecules
2. 3.