How Are Carbohydrates Catabolized?

In glycolysis, a six-carbon glucose molecule is split into two three-carbon molecules called pyruvate. These carbon molecules are oxidized into NADH and ATP. For the glucose molecule to oxidize into pyruvate, an input of ATP molecules is required.

What are the steps of carbohydrate catabolism?

Carbohydrate metabolism involves glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.

How do we metabolize carbohydrates?

When carbohydrates are broken down in the intestines they are converted to smaller simple sugars that can be absorbed. Glucose is the main agent produced. Glucose gets taken up into cells and either gets immediately broken down to produce energy or gets converted into glycogen (storage form of glucose).

Marcus Vance

Marcus Vance

Cybersecurity & Digital Privacy Researcher

Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.