METABOLIC PATHWAYS — PART II — THE PHOSPHAGEN METABOLIC PATHWAY
A collaboration between Visionary Entrepreneurship LLC and KIIP by Dr. Saghiv at www.kiipbydrsaghiv.com.
The first metabolic pathway in order of dominance of energy production is the phosphagen metabolic pathway. Phosphagens (also known as macro-ergic compounds), are high energy storage compounds (high-energy phosphate compounds), mainly located in skeletal muscles. They serve as a high-energy phosphate pool ready for use when energy is needed extremely fast; Especially for life-saving instincts and reflexes.
Since ATP molecules tend to be consumed with no regard to the need for energy storage, phosphagen are used to be “ready to create ATP” molecules, that can easily and quickly be converted into ATP. Phosphagens are quicker to create ATP compared to the use of carbohydrates (carbs), triglycerides (fat), or amino acids (protein). Thus, phosphagens are perfect for physiological situations that demand a lot of energy, extremely fast, yet for only a few seconds in duration.
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In regard to all energy producing processes, the energy is produced faster if:
- Enzymes mediate as many reactions as possible
- If the process requires less reactions in total
- If the substrate is as small as possible
- If the total amount of energy required for the reactions to occur is as small as possible
The Phosphagen metabolic pathway within human cells, includes two reactions, each mediated by a highly reactive, high speed enzyme. The first reaction includes the splitting of a phosphagen compound named creatine phosphate (CP for short). The result of this reaction is a molecule of creatine and an inorganic phosphate group (Pi). The second reaction binds a molecule of ADP with the inorganic phosphate group (Pi) from the first reaction, forming one molecule of ATP.
The advantages of utilizing the phosphagen metabolic pathway are that it produces the energy the fastest of all metabolic pathways, without increasing acidity, and the fact that both reactions are reversible. Thus, at any point of time, the ATP can be used to recreate creatine phosphate (fast replenishing).
The disadvantages of the phosphagen metabolic pathway are the extremely low efficiency of the pathway (ATP produced per substrate) and limited amounts of creatine phosphate. Overall, this metabolic pathway can sustain it metabolic dominancy for about 8–10 seconds.
Since this metabolic pathways if perfect for reflexes and instincts, the cells never allow the complete depletion of all creatine phosphate, so there is always enough for instincts and reflexes. In addition, this metabolic pathways is used to initiate “explosive” movements also addressed as maximal muscular power. Posts to follow: glycolysis, lipolysis, and proteolysis.
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