Why is respiratory pathway referred to as an amphibolic pathway? Explain.
Generally, the pathway of respiration is also called the catabolic pathway. This happens as it involves in the release of energy by breaking down substances. Most of the times, organic substances like carbohydrates, proteins and fats are converted into energy by breaking them down but sometimes an intermediate product of this process like Acetyl CoA will be used by the body to synthesise proteins or fats again. Hence the process of respiration is both a catabolic as well as an anabolic pathway.