Comparative Biochemistry: Energy-Generating Pathways in Birds One indication of the rela- tive importance of various ATP-producing...

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Comparative Biochemistry: Energy-Generating Pathways in Birds One indication of the rela- tive importance of various ATP-producing pathways is the Vmax of certain enzymes of these pathways. The values of Vmax of several enzymes from the pectoral muscles (chest muscles used for flying) of pigeon and pheasant are listed below. Enzyme Hexokinase Glycogen phosphorylase Phosphofructokinase-1 Citrate synthase Triacylglycerol lipase Vmax (mol substrate/min/g tissue) Pigeon Pheasant 3.0 18.0 24.0 100.0 0.07 2.3 120.0 143.0 15.0 0.01 (a) Discuss the relative importance of glycogen metabolism and fat metabolism in generating ATP in the pectoral muscles of these birds. (b) Compare oxygen consumption in the two birds. (e) Judging from the data in the table, which bird is the long-distance flyer? Justify your answer. (d) Why were these particular enzymes selected for comparison? Would the activities of triose phos- phate isomerase and malate dehydrogenase be equally good bases for comparison? Explain. Comparative Biochemistry: Energy-Generating Pathways in Birds One indication of the rela- tive importance of various ATP-producing pathways is the Vmax of certain enzymes of these pathways. The values of Vmax of several enzymes from the pectoral muscles (chest muscles used for flying) of pigeon and pheasant are listed below. Enzyme Hexokinase Glycogen phosphorylase Phosphofructokinase-1 Citrate synthase Triacylglycerol lipase Vmax (mol substrate/min/g tissue) Pigeon Pheasant 3.0 18.0 24.0 100.0 0.07 2.3 120.0 143.0 15.0 0.01 (a) Discuss the relative importance of glycogen metabolism and fat metabolism in generating ATP in the pectoral muscles of these birds. (b) Compare oxygen consumption in the two birds. (e) Judging from the data in the table, which bird is the long-distance flyer? Justify your answer. (d) Why were these particular enzymes selected for comparison? Would the activities of triose phos- phate isomerase and malate dehydrogenase be equally good bases for comparison? Explain.

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