Cellular Metabolism in Health and Disease

Cellular metabolism refers to the set of chemical reactions that take place within the cells of living organisms for maintaining life. Complex sequences of well controlled biochemical reactions are a part of cellular metabolism. These processes enable organisms to develop and reproduce, preserve their structural integrity and adapt to changes in their environment. Cell metabolism reflects the state of the cell's health. The mitochondrion is the primary source of energy for the cell, where bioenergetic processes take place by absorbing fuel sources like fatty acids and glucose. Afterwards, it gets converted into energy through a series of enzymatic reactions. Cellular bioenergetics deregulation results in various pathologies, like neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and diabetes. Cancer is characterized by altered cellular metabolism which aids in the development, growth and maintenance of tumors, as well as malignant transformation. This book contains some path-breaking studies on the role of cellular metabolism in health and disease. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by it.