This is an attempt at an abbreviated summary of catabolism.

Here we get down to the basics, leaving out cytochromes and other intermediates. This diagram represents what generally happens at a step in the catabolic pathway where a substrate is oxidized with (1) electrons given off which can be utilized for "reducing power" and (2) energy is released that results in the generation of ATP. Exception: For fermentation, ATP generation is accomplished by substrate-level phosphorylation rather than with energy released at such a step in the pathway. Click here for our basic catabolism page.

The above basic flow diagram can be modified to address the concept of "reducing power," the provision of electrons and ATP to anabolic activities, and the key role of NAD:

As one delves into this further, specific pathways concerning cyclic vs. non-cyclic photophosphorylation may be addressed.

This homepage supplement was last modified on 3/24/10.
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