Animalsbiosynthetic

Animalsbiosynthetic is a term used to describe the biosynthetic processes that occur within animal organisms. It encompasses enzymatic pathways that assemble complex biomolecules from simple starting materials, supporting growth, development, maintenance, and signaling. While metabolism includes both synthesis and breakdown, animalsbiosynthetic focuses on constructive, assembly steps that generate lipids, proteins, nucleotides, pigments, hormones, and other metabolites.

Major biosynthetic pathways in animals include the mevalonate pathway producing cholesterol and steroid hormones; fatty acid synthesis in liver and adipose tissue; heme biosynthesis in liver and bone marrow; nucleotide synthesis for DNA and RNA; and amino acid synthesis and protein assembly. Specialized pathways also generate pigments such as melanin and, in nervous tissue, neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

Pathway activity varies by tissue and state, with regulation by hormones, energy status, and feedback from end products. The liver, gut, and adipose tissue act as central hubs, while synthesis of vitamins and coenzymes can differ among species, for example, many animals synthesize vitamin C, whereas some groups, including humans, cannot and rely on diet.

Disruptions in animalsbiosynthetic pathways underlie metabolic disorders such as porphyrias (heme synthesis defects) and conditions like Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (cholesterol synthesis defect). Understanding these pathways informs medical diagnosis and treatment, as well as biotechnological efforts to engineer animal biosynthesis for drug production and nutrient synthesis.

See also: biosynthesis; metabolism; cholesterol biosynthesis; heme biosynthesis; melanin.