AP Bio Unit 3

Active Site

Region on an enzyme where the substrate binds; its shape and charge must match the substrate.

Enzyme Catalysis

Process by which enzymes speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

Denaturation

Disruption of protein structure due to extreme environmental conditions, leading to loss of enzyme activity.

Competitive Inhibitor

Substance that binds reversibly or irreversibly to the active site of an enzyme, inhibiting its function.

Noncompetitive Inhibitor

Substance that binds to an allosteric site on an enzyme, altering its activity without competing with the substrate.

Photosynthesis

Process by which light energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of glucose.

Calvin Cycle

Light-independent reactions in photosynthesis that produce carbohydrates from carbon dioxide.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of reactions transferring electrons and establishing a proton gradient to synthesize ATP.

Chemiosmosis

Process of protons flowing back through ATP synthase to generate ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.

Glycolysis

First step of cellular respiration that breaks down glucose to form ATP and NADH.

Krebs Cycle

Cycle in cellular respiration that generates ATP and electron carriers while releasing carbon dioxide.

Fermentation

Process allowing glycolysis to continue in the absence of oxygen, producing organic waste products.

pH

A measure of hydrogen ion concentration; an important factor influencing enzyme activity.

Metabolic Pathway

A series of interconnected enzymatic reactions that convert substrates into products.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Process that uses the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis to produce ATP from ADP.

Proton Gradient

Concentration difference of protons across a membrane, driving ATP synthesis.

Energy Input

Energy that must exceed energy loss to maintain order and power cellular processes.

ATP Synthase

Enzyme that generates ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate using energy from a proton gradient.