metabolic pathway
/məˈtæb.əl ɪk ˈpæθ.weɪ/ · me·ta·bol·ic path·way
noun
- A linked series of enzymatic chemical reactions within a cell that convert a starting substrate into a final product, often with intermediate compounds. The glycolytic metabolic pathway breaks down glucose into pyruvate, releasing energy for the cell.
- Any organized chain of biochemical steps that collectively accomplish a specific physiological function, such as energy production or biosynthesis. The citric‑acid cycle is a central metabolic pathway in aerobic respiration.
Synonyms
Did you know? The concept of a metabolic pathway was crystallized by Hans Krebs in the 1930s, leading to the naming of the Krebs (citric‑acid) cycle, one of the most famous pathways in biochemistry.