Final answer:
The correct order of metabolic processes for nutrient and energy extraction from food involves ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination. Anabolic reactions build complex molecules, catabolic reactions break them down, and together, they facilitate metabolism, which includes carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism, as well as thermoregulation and glucose regulation. Vitamins and minerals are also vital for metabolic pathways.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metabolic Processes and Nutrient Utilization
The correct order of metabolic processes by which nutrients and energy are obtained from food includes ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination. Firstly, ingestion is the act of taking in food, followed by digestion where food is broken down into smaller molecules. Then, nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream from the digestive tract, which is crucial for the cells to receive necessary materials. Lastly, elimination rids the body of undigested waste.
Anabolic and Catabolic Reactions
Anabolic reactions are processes that build complex molecules from simpler ones, which is vital for growth and repair in the body. Catabolic reactions, on the other hand, break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy in the form of ATP. Together, these reactions form the basis of metabolism.
Metabolism of Nutrients
For carbohydrate metabolism, the pathway starts with glycolysis, followed by the citric acid cycle and finishes with oxidative phosphorylation, resulting in the production of ATP. Lipid metabolism involves the oxidation of fatty acids, which also feeds into the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. Protein metabolism involves the degradation of amino acids for use in various metabolic pathways.
Glucose Regulation and Thermoregulation
The body regulates glucose levels through hormonal control during absorptive and postabsorptive states to maintain energy balance. Metabolism is also essential for maintaining body temperature (thermoregulation) as metabolic reactions generate heat, which is part of homeostasis.
Role of Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals, while not direct sources of energy, are imperative for facilitating metabolic pathways and ensuring proper cellular function. A balanced diet with adequate vitamins and minerals is thus critical for health and energy production.