question_answer 41)

  When a substrate is being metabolised, why does not all the energy that is produced get released in one step. It is released in multiple steps. What is the advantage of step-wise release?

Answer:

                The process of aerobic respiration is divided into four phases-glycolysis, TCA cycle, ETS and oxidative phosphorylation. The process of respiration and production of ATP in each phase takes place in a step-wise manner. The product of one pathway forms the substrate of the other pathway and these substrates enter or withdrawn from the pathway according to the necessity ATP gets utilised wherever required and enzymatic rates are generally controlled. Thus, the step-wise released of energy makes the system more efficient is extracting and storing energy.