Metabolism: Fueling Cell Growth

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering the key vocabulary and concepts related to metabolism, its processes, and the role of enzymes.

Metabolism

The total sum of chemical reactions involving biosynthesis and energy-harvesting in cells.

Anabolism

The process of synthesizing new components and building larger molecules, requiring energy.

Catabolism

The process of breaking down larger molecules to produce energy.

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate)

The energy currency of the cell, generated through various phosphorylation mechanisms.

Aerobic respiration

A form of respiration where oxygen is the terminal electron acceptor.

Anaerobic respiration

A form of respiration using electron acceptors other than oxygen, resulting in less energy yield.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts pyruvate into other compounds, like lactate or ethanol, to regenerate NAD+.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as catalysts in metabolic pathways, lowering the activation energy needed for reactions.

Photosynthesis

The process of converting light energy into chemical energy stored in organic compounds, involving light-dependent and light-independent reactions.

Cofactors and Coenzymes

Non-protein components that assist enzymes in catalyzing reactions, including inorganic ions and organic molecules.

Proton motive force

An electrochemical gradient generated by pumping protons across a membrane, used to produce ATP.

Feedback inhibition

A regulatory mechanism where the end product of a pathway inhibits an earlier enzyme, shutting down the pathway.

Electron transport chain (ETC)

A series of membrane-embedded carriers that transfer electrons, creating a proton gradient to drive ATP synthesis.

Substrate-level phosphorylation

A way of generating ATP through the direct transfer of a phosphate group to ADP from a high energy molecule.

Oxidative phosphorylation

The production of ATP using energy derived from the electron transport chain.

Redox reactions

Chemical reactions involving the transfer of electrons, where one substance is oxidized and another is reduced.