Which statement about cellular metabolism is false?

• A. Cellular metabolism involves both catabolic and anabolic pathways.
• B. Enzymes are not required for metabolic reactions.
• C. ATP is the primary energy currency in cellular metabolism.
• D. Metabolic pathways are regulated by feedback mechanisms.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that cellular metabolism includes both catabolic pathways, which break down molecules to release energy, and anabolic pathways, which build complex molecules from simpler ones using energy.
2. Recognize that enzymes are crucial for metabolic reactions as they act as catalysts, speeding up reactions and allowing them to occur under the mild conditions of temperature and pH found in cells.
3. Acknowledge that ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is indeed the primary energy currency in cells, providing energy for various cellular processes.
4. Learn that metabolic pathways are often regulated by feedback mechanisms, where the end product of a pathway can inhibit an enzyme involved in the pathway, thus controlling the pathway's activity.
5. Identify the false statement by evaluating each option: since enzymes are essential for metabolic reactions, the statement 'Enzymes are not required for metabolic reactions' is false.