anyagcserefiziológia

Metabolic physiology, or anyagcserefiziológia in Hungarian, is the study of the chemical processes that occur within living organisms to maintain life. It encompasses the breakdown of organic matter (catabolism) to produce energy and the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones (anabolism), which requires energy. These processes are crucial for all life functions, including growth, repair, movement, and reproduction.

The central concept in metabolic physiology is energy metabolism. Organisms obtain energy primarily from nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins through a series of complex biochemical reactions. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the main energy currency of the cell, and its production is a key outcome of metabolic pathways. Key processes include glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation for generating ATP from glucose. Fats are broken down through beta-oxidation, and proteins are utilized as an energy source after deamination.

Beyond energy production, metabolic physiology also deals with the synthesis of essential biomolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates. These anabolic processes are vital for building and maintaining cellular structures, as well as for specialized functions. Hormones play a significant regulatory role in metabolic physiology, coordinating and controlling these diverse pathways to maintain homeostasis. For example, insulin and glucagon regulate blood glucose levels, while thyroid hormones influence the overall metabolic rate. Understanding metabolic physiology is fundamental to comprehending health and disease, as many disorders, such as diabetes and obesity, are directly linked to disruptions in these intricate chemical processes.