Metabolic Reactionss

Metabolism

Sum of cellular chemical reactions

Exergonic Reactions

Reactants have more free energy than products

Endergonic Reactions

Products have more free energy than reactants

ATP

Can transform into ADP + P and back again through synthesis and hydrolysis

ATP Synthesis

Process of creating ATP from ADP + P (usually associated with catabolism)

ATP Hydrolysis

Reaction when a water molecule breaks the bond of ATP, releasing a burst of energy (associated with anabolism)

Coupled Reactions

Energy released by exergonic reaction drives endergonic reaction

Metabolic Pathways

Reactions occur in a sequence which results in products of an earlier reaction becoming the reactants of a later reaction

Enzymes

Proteins that speed up chemical reactions by reducing amount of activation energy + bring substrates into contact with one another

Substrate

Specific molecule an enzyme binds to which is then converted to a product in a chemical reaction

Active Site

A specific region on an enzyme’s surface where a substrate binds and a chemical reaction occurs

Lock and Key Model

Suggests that an enzyme’s active site (lock) fits perfect with the shape of a specific substrate (key)

Enzyme Specificity

The ability of an enzyme to selectively bind to and catalyze a reaction for a specific substrate or group of similar substrates

What are reaction rates affected by?

Enzyme concentration, substrate concentration, temp, pH, denaturation, coenzymes, and inhibitors

Enzyme Inhibitors

Inhibitor binds to the active site of the enzyme, competing with the substrate and reducing the rate of reaction (ex: herbicides and drugs)

Coenzymes

Helper molecules for enzymes to catalyze biochemical reactions

Redox Reaction

One substance loses an electron (oxidation) while the other gains an electron (reduction) and both must occur simultaneously