CH 8: Energy and Enzymes: An Introduction to Metabolism

These flashcards cover key concepts related to energy, enzymes, and metabolism as outlined in Chapter 8 of the Biological Science Eighth Edition.

What are the two types of energy mentioned in the chapter?

Kinetic energy and potential energy.

What is activation energy?

The kinetic energy required to strain chemical bonds in molecules so they can react to form product.

Define metabolic pathways.

Ordered series of chemical reactions that build up or break down molecules.

What are catabolic pathways?

Pathways that break large molecules into smaller parts and produce energy.

What is the first law of thermodynamics?

Energy is conserved; it cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred and transformed.

What does Gibbs free energy determine?

Whether a reaction is spontaneous or requires added energy to proceed.

What is phosphorylation in the context of ATP?

The process of adding a phosphate group to a target molecule, increasing its potential energy.

What is the role of enzymes in reactions?

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for reactions to proceed.

What is feedback inhibition?

A regulatory mechanism in which the final product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an enzyme involved in its synthesis.

What factors affect enzyme function?

Temperature, pH, interactions with other molecules, and modifications of primary structure.

What are redox reactions?

Chemical reactions that involve electron transfer, including oxidation and reduction.

What is an example of a coenzyme?

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) or flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD).

How does temperature affect enzymatic reactions?

Temperature affects the folding and movement of enzymes and substrates, influencing kinetic energy.

What are the steps of enzyme catalysis?

Initiation, transition state facilitation, and termination.

What is the outcome when a reaction releases heat?

The reaction is classified as exothermic.

How can enzymes be regulated via noncovalent interactions?

Through competitive inhibition and allosteric regulation.

What does a high concentration of substrates lead to in enzyme-catalyzed reactions?

The reaction rate can plateau when all active sites are occupied.

What is energetic coupling?

The process allowing chemical energy released from one reaction to drive another reaction.