Question

Discuss "The respiratory pathway is an amphibolic pathway".

Answer 1

The respiratory pathway is an amphibolic pathway as it involves both anabolism and catabolism. It is catabolic pathway as, during this process, various complex molecules are broken down into the simpler molecule to obtain energy. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose. Fats are broken down into fatty acids and glycerol. Fatty acids further get converted into acetyl CoA. Proteins are broken down into amino acids. During synthesis of fatty acids, acetyl CoA is withdrawn from the respiratory pathway. Similarly, during synthesis of proteins, respiratory substrate amino acid is withdrawn. Hence, it is also an anabolic pathway.