Question

Anabolic pathways

A) increase molecular order.
B) are endergonic.
C) decrease entropy.
D) can be stimulated by anabolic hormones.
E) All of the above are correct.

Answer 1

Anabolic pathways increase molecular order, are endergonic, decrease entropy, and can be triggered by anabolic hormones, making E) All of the above are correct. Enzymes catalyze reactions by reducing activation energy, and anabolic reactions are endergonic, consuming energy to build complex molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

Anabolic Pathways and Their Properties

Anabolic pathways are a crucial set of metabolic processes within living organisms. These pathways are responsible for synthesizing larger, more complex molecules from smaller, simpler ones. As such, anabolic pathways play vital roles in growth, repair, and maintenance of cellular structures. When considering the properties of anabolic pathways, the following statements are true:

• Anabolic pathways increase molecular order by organizing simple molecules into complex ones, thus decreasing randomness in the system.
• They are generally endergonic, meaning they require an input of energy to proceed because they are forming complex molecules from simpler ones.
• During these pathways, entropy, or the degree of disorder in the system, decreases because the process results in more organized structures.
• Anabolic processes can be stimulated by specific hormones, such as growth hormone and testosterone, known as anabolic hormones.

Considering these characteristics, the correct answer to the original question is E) All of the above are correct.

Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions in living organisms by reducing the activation energy, making it easier for the reaction to occur even at lower temperatures or when reactant concentrations are not high. They do not change the direction of the reactions (from exergonic to endergonic or vice versa) but instead facilitate the reactions as they naturally occur.

Anabolic reactions are indeed endergonic as they consume energy. When the body digests food, it undertakes catabolic reactions, breaking down food molecules into simpler forms that can be used for energy or as building blocks for anabolic reactions.