Identification of Qualitatively Feasible Metabolic Pathways

Cells function as organized chemical engines carrying out a large number of transformations, called bioreactions or biochemical reactions, in a coordinated manner. These reactions are catalyzed by enzymes and exhibit great specificity and rates much higher than the rates of non-enzymatic reactions. Enzymes are neither transformed nor consumed, but that facilitate the underlying reactions by their presence. The coordination of the extensive network of biochemical reactions is achieved through regulation of the concentrations and the specific activities of enzymes. Single enzymecatalyzed steps in succession form long chains, called biochemical pathways, achieving the overall transformation of substrates to far removed products.