Respiration and metabolism

Fluoroethanol itself is innocuous towards a variety of tissue constituents, a series of enzymes in rat-liver mince, and the respiration and metabolism in liver, kidney, heart and brain slice.3 After a period of incubation in those tissues known to contain alcohol dehydrogenase, e.g. liver and kidney, the respiration and pyruvate oxidation were strongly inhibited. Likewise, following a period of incubation with yeast, acetate oxidation was blocked. These inhibitions were similar to those produced by fluoroacetate, and the facts can best be explained by the oxidation of fluoroethanol to fluoroacetic acid by alcohol dehydrogenase. 

Cossins, A.R., and J.A.C. Lee (1985). The adaptation of membrane structure and lipid composition to cold. In Circulation, Respiration, and Metabolism Current Comparative Approaches, pp. 543-552, ed. R. Gilles. Berlin Springer-Verlag. 

A quantitative understanding of the membrane transport is very important for elucidating physiological reactions occurring at biomembranes such as nervous transmission, respiration and metabolism as well as the application of the membrane transports to analytical methods such as liquid membrane type ion sensors and membrane separations [17-19]. 

Phosphine is known to disrupt protein synthesis and enzymatic activity, particularly in lung and heart cell mitochondria. This can lead to a blockage of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Phosphine may cause denaturing of various enzymes involved in cellular respiration and metabolism, and may be responsible for denaturing of the oxyhemoglobin molecule. 

Biological toxins typically are of lesser molecular weight and size, and are thus more soluble and more easily penetrate the skin than chemical weapon agents. Biological toxins can be categorized based upon their mode of action, such as neurotoxins (disrupt nerve impulses) and cytotoxins (disrupt cell respiration and metabolism). Known biological toxins that are warfare or terror agents include aflatoxin, botuli-num toxins, ricin, and T2 mycotoxin. 

Gilles, R. (1985). Circulation, Respiration and Metabolism. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. 

The physiological significance of an increase in the activity of cytosolic isoforms may relate to metabolic changes associated with senescence. During senescence there is breakdown of starch, nitrogenous compounds and membrane lipids hence the increase in cytosolic isoforms. GS assimilates NH3 from degradation of cellular (and chloroplastic) proteins into amides for translocation. PGK would not only assimilate triosephosphates for export but (along with DHAP reductase) would be involved in the increased respiration and metabolic breakdown associated with senescence. 

Nielsen B. On the regulation of respiration in reptiles. II. The effect of hypoxia with and without moderate hypercapnia on the respiration and metabolism of lizards. J Exp Biol 1962 39 107-117. 

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