Question

Assertion: Respiration is an amphibolic pathway. Reason: Respiratory pathway is involved in both catabolism and anabolism.

Short answer

Yes, the statement 'Respiration is an amphibolic pathway because it is involved in both anabolism and catabolism' is correct.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the terms

Firstly, understand what an 'amphibolic pathway' means. It is a biochemical pathway that involves both catabolism and anabolism. In other words, it is a pathway that can break down compounds and release energy (catabolism) or build up complex molecules and consume energy (anabolism).

Understand the assertion

Now, look at the assertion 'Respiration is an amphibolic pathway'. Respiration is a biochemical process in cells where energy is produced by breaking down complex molecules. Here, energy is not only produced (catabolic process) but also consumed for synthesising ATP and other molecules (anabolic process).

Validate the reason

The given reason is 'Respiratory pathway is involved in both catabolism and anabolism'. This justifies the amphibolic nature of respiration because it clearly states that respiration involves both breaking down (catabolic) and synthesis (anabolic), thus making it an amphibolic pathway.

Conclude if the reason is the explanation of the assertion

The reason describes the phenomenon referred to in the assertion. As per the reason, respiration is involved with both breaking down and building up processes, leading to the conclusion that respiration is an amphibolic pathway.

Final Answer

From the above steps, it can be inferred that the reason correctly explains the assertion. Therefore, the statement 'Respiration is an amphibolic pathway because it is involved in both anabolism and catabolism' is correct.

Key concepts

Amphibolic Pathway

In the realm of biochemical processes, an amphibolic pathway stands out as a unique and versatile mechanism. An amphibolic pathway is one that integrates both the breakdown and the building up of molecules. It harmonizes two fundamental processes of metabolism: catabolism and anabolism.

The term "amphibolic" comes from the prefix "amphi-," which means "both" or "on both sides." This pathway is essential because it allows the organism to efficiently manage its energy resources and adaptation needs. For example, during respiration, cells can perform both energy-producing and energy-utilizing reactions, depending on the cell’s requirements at any given time.

This dual-functionality makes amphibolic pathways crucial for life. They provide the flexibility needed in dynamically changing environments. Particularly, in respiration, this allows organisms to not only extract energy from consumed substrates but also to direct intermediates into biosynthesis pathways when necessary.

Catabolism

Catabolism refers to the set of metabolic pathways that break down molecules into smaller units and release energy. It is essentially the cell’s way of harvesting energy from organic substances.

In catabolic processes:

• Complex molecules, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, are broken down into simpler molecules like glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids.
• The breakdown process is often accompanied by the release of energy, which is captured in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).
• The energy obtained from catabolism is crucial for powering various cellular activities, including movement, transport, and biosynthesis.'

During respiration, the breakdown of glucose through glycolysis and the Krebs cycle exemplifies catabolism. These processes do not only supply energy but also provide necessary intermediates for anabolic pathways.

Anabolism

Anabolism is the process of building up complex molecules from simpler ones. This set of metabolic pathways is crucial for growth, repair, and maintenance of cells and tissues.

In anabolic processes:

• Small molecules, such as glucose, amino acids, and nucleotides, are used as building blocks to synthesize larger structures like glycogen, proteins, and DNA.
• These processes typically consume energy, utilizing ATP produced during catabolic reactions.
• Anabolism is essential for synthesizing all the components cells need for structure and function, including cell membranes, enzymes, and genetic material.

Respiration exemplifies an amphibolic nature as it involves anabolic pathways, where absorbed intermediates from catabolic processes are used to produce essential biomolecules, maintaining cellular and organismal health.