Lecture on Metabolism and Enzymes

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to metabolism, enzymatic reactions, and their implications in biological systems.

Metabolism

The combination of all chemical reactions in an organism.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules to form simpler ones, releasing energy.

Anabolism

The process of building up complex molecules from simpler ones, using energy.

Pathways

A series of chemical reactions in a specific order, often involving different enzymes.

Enzyme

A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed.

Substrate

The specific reactant that an enzyme acts upon.

Active Site

The region of an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

Competitive Inhibition

A form of enzyme inhibition where a molecule mimics the substrate and competes for binding at the active site.

Non-competitive Inhibition

Inhibition where the inhibitor binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, changing its shape and function.

Oxidation Reaction

A reaction in which an electron is removed from a reactant.

Reduction Reaction

A reaction in which an electron is added to a reactant.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in all living organisms.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, yielding ATP and NADH.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts pyruvate into ethanol and carbon dioxide or lactic acid in the absence of oxygen.

Aerobic Respiration

The process of producing cellular energy in the presence of oxygen, resulting in more ATP than fermentation.

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)

An electron carrier that becomes NADH when it accepts electrons.

Krebs Cycle

A series of enzymatic reactions that occur in the mitochondria, producing electron carriers and CO2 from acetyl-CoA.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfer electrons and produce ATP.

Metabolic Flexibility

The ability of an organism to adapt its metabolism based on the available nutrients.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The bacterium that causes tuberculosis, known for its metabolic flexibility.

Constitutive Enzymes

Enzymes that are always present and active in cells.

Regulated Enzymes

Enzymes whose levels or activity are controlled by the cell based on needs.