These are the biochemical pathways that we know within a cell which give a picture of cellular complexity.
Zoom out to see the high-level block diagrams.
From the the accompanying text of the paper posters (all emphasis mine), it can be seen that the paper posters showed just a convenient selection of all the relevant knowledge:
"In the wall chart “Biochemical Pathways” the following principles were
applied:"
"The selection of reactions has to be made arbitrarily. Of course, no
discussion is necessary about e. g. glycolysis, protein biosynthesis and
other central reactions. Peripheral reaction pathways are preferably
selected if they are of high interest in biochemical, medical or biological
research (receptors, vitamins, antibiotics, compounds of importance in
regulation etc.), if they are of interest in medicine (e.g. blood
coagulation, complement system), if they lead to important end
products (e.g. microbiological fermentations) or if they enable
comparison of phylogenetic development (anaerobic/aerobic respiration or photosynthesis in various species).
Some indication on the degree of selection can be taken from the fact
that in the present “Pathways” about 1000 enzymes are shown, while
the 1984 “Enzyme Nomenclature” with its 2 supplements names 2859
enzymes. Estimations of the number of proteins (with and without
enzymatic activity) in a single mammalian cell are in the order of
magnitude of 30000."
"e) In general, we desisted from showing detailed reaction mechanisms.
Only in cases where discrete steps (e. g. in multi-enzyme systems) are
involved or well-characterized intermediates exist, single steps are
given. The same holds true for receptor-activation steps etc.
f) The interrelationships of metabolic pathways cause the biggest
technical problem of graphical representation. Since many compounds
take part in various pathways, one would obtain a “spider web” of lines
criss-crossing the whole chart. In order to avoid this, one has to “cut”
connections. The respective compounds, which reoccur in other places
of the chart, are written here in sharp-edged boxes."
https://www.roche.com/sustainability/philanthropy/science_ed...
The book (2012):
https://www.amazon.com/Biochemical-Pathways-Biochemistry-Mol...
From the the accompanying text of the paper posters (all emphasis mine), it can be seen that the paper posters showed just a convenient selection of all the relevant knowledge:
"In the wall chart “Biochemical Pathways” the following principles were applied:"
"The selection of reactions has to be made arbitrarily. Of course, no discussion is necessary about e. g. glycolysis, protein biosynthesis and other central reactions. Peripheral reaction pathways are preferably selected if they are of high interest in biochemical, medical or biological research (receptors, vitamins, antibiotics, compounds of importance in regulation etc.), if they are of interest in medicine (e.g. blood coagulation, complement system), if they lead to important end products (e.g. microbiological fermentations) or if they enable comparison of phylogenetic development (anaerobic/aerobic respiration or photosynthesis in various species).
Some indication on the degree of selection can be taken from the fact that in the present “Pathways” about 1000 enzymes are shown, while the 1984 “Enzyme Nomenclature” with its 2 supplements names 2859 enzymes. Estimations of the number of proteins (with and without enzymatic activity) in a single mammalian cell are in the order of magnitude of 30000."
"e) In general, we desisted from showing detailed reaction mechanisms. Only in cases where discrete steps (e. g. in multi-enzyme systems) are involved or well-characterized intermediates exist, single steps are given. The same holds true for receptor-activation steps etc.
f) The interrelationships of metabolic pathways cause the biggest technical problem of graphical representation. Since many compounds take part in various pathways, one would obtain a “spider web” of lines criss-crossing the whole chart. In order to avoid this, one has to “cut” connections. The respective compounds, which reoccur in other places of the chart, are written here in sharp-edged boxes."