Fermentation

As we examine Glycolysis, remember these are biological reactions. They are catalyzed by enzymes. Kinases, dehydrogenases and isomerases are important enzymes in Glycolysis. Kinases transfer a phosphate functional group to or from ATP (a very important nucleotide triphosphate), and you are already familiar with what dehydrogenases and isomerases do. A variety of hexoses (Energy-containing sugars), including fructose and galactose can be funneled into glycolysis and broken down for energy.

The dehydrogenases: glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase all use NAD (a vitamin) to oxidize the substrate and obtain NADH, an important Energy-carrying molecule. These proteins contain one region that binds NAD and another domain that contains the catalytic amino acid residues.

Our bodies have several metabolic choices (e.g. anabolic or catabolic) available for the sugars we eat, dependent on the energy state of our cells. If we lay on the couch, spending all day watching the Jerry Springer show, our cells really don't need too much energy. In this instance the energy from sugar will be stored, either as Glycogen or fat, until it is needed. If we are active and our cells are in an Energy deficit, the sugars can be broken down and their Energy released in a form that our ce

Another option for energy storage, especially long-term storage for large amounts of energy,