All cells produce substances that are essential for them to function properly. For example, in plants, specific metabolic pathways can produce glucose and chlorophyll.

Metabolic pathways can be described as a series of chemical reactions that start with a substrate and finish with an end product. Metabolic pathways are integrated and controlled enzyme-catalysed reactions within a cell.

In animals, specific metabolic pathways can produce vitamins and haemoglobin.

Metabolic pathways can be described as a series of chemical reactions that start with a substrate and finish with an end product.

Thousands of metabolic pathways exist and most involve multiple steps – some can be hundreds of steps long! All metabolic pathways together form a complex network that is necessary to maintain life.