Toxins and Cell Membranes
Many toxins, poisons, and venoms work by interfering with metabolic pathways. Poisons damage body function, toxins are poisonous substances made by living organisms, and venoms are toxic fluids from creatures like snakes that contain multiple harmful substances.
A perfect example is catechol oxidase - the enzyme that makes damaged fruit turn brown. When fruit is bruised, this enzyme converts catechol into compounds that react with oxygen, creating that familiar brown colour. It's a simple metabolic pathway you can observe in your kitchen.
The cell membrane acts like a selective bouncer, controlling what enters and leaves cells. It's made of a phospholipid bilayer with various proteins scattered throughout, forming what scientists call the fluid mosaic model. The membrane stays flexible because lipid heads attract water whilst tails repel it.
Enzymes are absolutely essential for controlling metabolic pathways. They speed up reactions, remain unchanged after use, and crucially reduce the activation energy needed for reactions to occur. Without enzymes, the chemical reactions in your cells would be far too slow to sustain life.
Key Point: Cell membranes aren't just barriers - they're sophisticated control systems that work with enzymes to regulate metabolism.