Back to: ZOOLOGY 400 Level
Welcome to class!
My smart and determined learner, welcome once again! I see the energy you bring to every lesson — and that’s something to celebrate! Today, we’re going to talk about something your body does every single day, whether you’re relaxing, walking to class, or reading this note. The topic is Overview of Carbohydrate, Protein, and Lipid Metabolism. It might sound like big grammar, but don’t worry — I’ll break it down just like ewedu in a bowl of amala.
Overview Of Carbohydrate, Protein, And Lipid Metabolism
What is Metabolism?
Metabolism is simply the way your body changes food into energy and building blocks to keep you alive, active, and healthy. After digestion and absorption, the real work begins — the body must use these nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (lipids) for energy, growth, repair, and storage.
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Carbohydrates like rice, yam, or bread are the body’s main source of energy.
After digestion, carbs are broken into glucose, which enters the blood.
The hormone insulin helps move glucose into cells.
Inside the cells, glucose is used to produce ATP (the energy your body uses) through a process called cellular respiration.
Excess glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen or turned into fat for long-term storage.
Example: After eating jollof rice, your body breaks it into glucose, gives you energy to walk to class, and saves the extra in your liver like a backup generator.
Protein Metabolism
Proteins like beans, meat, or eggs are broken into amino acids.
Amino acids are used to build body tissues — muscles, hormones, enzymes, and more.
When there’s extra protein, the body removes the nitrogen part (called deamination) and converts the rest into glucose or fat.
The waste nitrogen is turned into urea and passed out in urine.
Example: When you eat moi moi, your body uses the amino acids to repair your muscles and build enzymes for digestion.
Lipid (Fat) Metabolism
Lipids from foods like palm oil, meat fat, groundnuts, and butter give long-term energy.
Fats are broken into fatty acids and glycerol.
They are used for energy, stored in fat cells, or used to make hormones and cell membranes.
In starvation or fasting, the body turns to fat for energy.
Example: If you skip a meal, your body may use the fat you got from suya two days ago to keep you moving!
Why Is This Important?
These three nutrients must be balanced. Too much or too little of any one can affect energy levels, health, and body weight. Your body constantly adjusts depending on your activity, meal type, or even stress level.
Summary
- Metabolism is the process of converting nutrients into energy and body materials.
- Carbohydrates are broken into glucose for quick energy; extra is stored as glycogen or fat.
- Proteins are broken into amino acids for building body tissues; excess is converted to energy.
- Lipids are used for energy storage, insulation, and hormone production.
- The body balances these nutrients based on activity, need, and availability.
Evaluation
- What is metabolism in simple terms?
- How is glucose used in the body after carbohydrate digestion?
- What happens to excess amino acids in the body?
- Why are lipids important in the body besides energy?
- Give one real-life example of how your body uses each of the three nutrients.
You’re doing excellently! Understanding how your body works puts you in control of your health and your future. Keep pushing forward, and remember that every lesson brings you closer to your dreams. Afrilearn is with you, cheering you on — you are powerful, brilliant, and born to achieve greatness!