Lesson-Plan-Cellular-Metabolism-and-Bioenergetics.pdf

LP

1. Kimberly Joy P. Bustamante
MASCIED - Biological Science

TOPIC: Cellular Metabolism and Bioenergetics
A. Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the learners will be able to:
1. Differentiate the anabolic process from the catabolic process.
2. Explain the cellular metabolic processes, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and
oxidative phosphorylation.
3. Describe how Adenosine Triphosphate provides energy that performs work.
4. Plot the behavior of the ATP production, showing how metabolism contributes over
time and how feedback mechanisms affect the system.

B. Materials:
Laptop (PowerPoint Presentation)
Textbooks
Diagrams/Illustrations of cellular metabolic processes
Graph paper for behavior over time graphs
Case study materials or articles

C. Introduction to Systems Thinking
The teacher explains systems thinking as a way to view complex biological processes as
interconnected systems, rather than as separate pieces. The teacher then points out that
cellular metabolism relies on numerous pathways and feedback loops working together to
maintain cell viability, and that energy flow and regulation are crucial to how cells function
(bioenergetics).

The students will be asked the definition of the following:
➢ Metabolism is the totality of an organism’s chemical reactions. It is an emergent
property of life that arises from orderly interactions between molecules.
➢ Anabolic reactions build more complex molecules from simpler ones, while catabolic
reactions decompose or break down larger molecules into their subunits.
➢ Bioenergetics is the study of the flow and transformation of energy within living
organisms.
➢ Energy Coupling is the way cells manage their energy resources to do work (chemical,
transport, mechanical) - the use of an exergonic process to drive an endergonic one.
➢ Adenosine Triphosphate is responsible for mediating most energy coupling in cells,
and in most cases, it acts as the immediate source of energy that powers cellular work.
➢ Cell energy metabolism refers to metabolic pathways involved in ATP synthesis linked
to NADH turnover.

For example, anabolic pathways required for biosynthesis will consume ATP and generate
NADH. Catabolic pathways, such as mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, will generate
ATP from ADP + Pi and oxidize NADH to NAD+. Consequently, both ATP and NAD+ are central
molecules to allow growth, which will depend on their respective availability.

2. AEROBIC RESPIRATION - involves the complete oxidation of glucose to synthesize molecules
and also produces water and carbon dioxide as byproducts.

The following shows the major stages of Cellular Respiration:





















The following shows the different stages of Photosynthesis:

3. ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION - is a form of cellular respiration that does not require oxygen to
generate ATP molecules.

Fermentation - is a catabolic reaction that occurs in cells to continuously generate ATP
molecules whenever there is a scarcity in oxygen supply.



















D. System Exploration/Activity:
a. Case Study/Real-World Example
1. Catabolic/Exergonic Pathway Example: Cellular Respiration
- Cellular respiration is an exergonic process. Glucose is broken down into carbon
dioxide and water, releasing energy. This energy forms ATP, which cells use. The energy
released shows it's exergonic.
Whenever you walk or digest food, your cells use this process to make ATP.
- When ATP breaks down into ADP and phosphate, it releases energy. This energy
powers activities in your cells, such as muscle movement and moving substances
across cell membranes.
The process of shivering uses ATP hydrolysis during muscle contraction to warm the
body.
2. Anabolic/Endergonic Pathway Example: ATP Synthesis
- Making ATP during oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria is an endergonic
process because it needs energy to add a phosphate group to ADP. The energy comes
from the proton gradient created by the electron transport chain. Since this process
requires energy, it is accompanied by the energy released as electrons move through
the chain.
Your cells are always making ATP to store energy for things like muscle movement,
moving substances across membranes, and building new molecules.
- Photosynthesis in plants, where light energy is used to synthesize glucose from
carbon dioxide and water.

4. Muscle cramps are caused by the overaccumulation of lactate in muscle tissues. As a
response, the liver filters out lactate from the bloodstream and converts it into glucose
molecules during gluconeogenesis.
3. Applications of Anaerobic Respiration














b. System Mapping
The teacher assigns a group activity where each group creates a graphic organizer that
shows the flow of the cellular metabolic processes. Each graphic organizer should be
connected, highlighting the energy flow and series of transformations.

c. Behaviour Over Time Graph
In a graph, plot the behavior of the ATP production during rest, moderate exercise,
and intense exercise, showing how metabolic pathways work over time and how
feedback mechanisms affect the system.

E. Analysis and Reflection
a. Guiding Questions:
1. How do the different metabolic pathways interconnect to produce energy efficiently?
2. What happens to cellular energy production when oxygen is scarce?
3. How do feedback mechanisms regulate the rate of metabolism?
4. Why is it important to consider metabolism as a system rather than individual reactions?
5. How does ATP typically transfer energy from an exergonic to an endergonic reaction in
the cell?
6. How can aerobic and anaerobic modes of respiration become advantageous and
disadvantageous to organisms?

b. Identifying Feedback Loops:
There's an interplay between photosynthesis and cellular respiration as photosynthesis is
considered an anabolic process because it utilizes CO2 and H2O to produce glucose.
Conversely, cellular respiration is considered a catabolic process because it breaks down
glucose molecules to produce ATP and CO2. Meaning so, if we intake vegetables that
conduct photosynthesis and produce glucose, our body will then perform cellular
respiration.

5. F. Assessment/Evaluation
The groups present their graphic organizers and explain their metabolic integration.
They will be graded using the rubric below.
CRITERIA EXCELLENT (3pts.) SATISFACTORY (2pts.) NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
(1pt.)
Content Accuracy All pathways correctly
explained
Most pathways
explained
Many inaccuracies or
missing parts
Graphic Organizer
Quality
Clear and complete
with connections
Mostly complete,
some missing parts
Incomplete or unclear
Understanding of
Integration
Shows clear
understanding of how
pathways work
together
Basic understanding Limited or incorrect
understanding
Presentation Clarity Clear and easy to follow Somewhat clear Difficult to understand
Team Participation All members
participate equally
Most members
participate
Few members
participate


G. References
Electron Transport Chain Labeled Diagram. (2021). Inspired Pencil. https://www.inspiredpencil.com

Fazulbhoy, Ria. (2020, November 16) Glycolysis. MicroScopia IWM. https://microscopiaiwm.com/2020
/11/16/glycolysis/

Glycolysis. (n.d.). OER Commons. https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/93656/student-old/

Grimm, S. (2024). Bioenergetics: Fuelling life at the cellular level. Journal of Molecular Histology and
Medical Physiology, 9(6), 257. https://doi.org/10.37421/2684-494X.2024.9.257

Krebs Cycle Diagram Easy. (n.d.). Wiring Diagrams Free. https://diagramweb.net/krebs-cycle-diagram-
easy.html

Light-Dependent Reaction. (n.d.). Science Facts. https://www.sciencefacts.net/light-dependent-
reaction.html

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (GPT-4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/
Quipper. (n.d.). Online learning platform. Quipper. https://www.quipper.com
Rigoulet et al. (2020, November 1). Cell energy metabolism: An update. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta
(BBA) – Bioenergetics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S00052
72820301262#sch0005