LT5 Metabolism

Vocabulary flashcards covering metabolism, anabolism, catabolism, enzymes, cellular respiration equations, nutrient conversion pathways, and the three major metabolic stages of cellular respiration.

Metabolism

The sum total of all biochemical reactions in our bodies.

Anabolism

Building reactions that build large molecules from smaller ones; also called synthesis reactions.

Catabolism

The breaking of large molecules into smaller ones; also called degradation reactions.

Catalyst

Any substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction and lowers the time for that reaction.

Enzyme

Any substance that increases the rate of a biochemical reaction and lowers the time for that reaction; biological catalysts.

Substrate

Any substance (reactant) acted upon by an enzyme.

Active Site

The region or area on an enzyme where enzyme (catalytic) activity takes place.

Overall Balanced Equation for Glucose Respiration

$$C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6H_2O + 6CO_2 + 36\text{ ATP}$$

Deamination

The process of removing an amino group ($NH_2$) from amino acids or nitrogenous bases ($C, H, O, N$), leaving behind a carbon skeleton ($C, H, O$) that can be converted into glucose for energy.

Gluconeogenesis

The metabolic process in which non-carbohydrate carbon substrates (such as amino acids or fatty acids and glycerol) are converted into glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) under energy demand.

Glycolysis

A metabolic pathway occurring in the cytosol of the cell that converts a molecule of glucose into $2$ molecules of pyruvic acid (pyruvate), nets $2$ molecules of ATP, and provides hydrogen ions to electron carriers for the ETS in the form of $2\text{ NADH}$ molecules.

TCA Cycle (Kreb's or Citric Acid Cycle)

A metabolic pathway occurring in the mitochondrial matrix that produces $2\text{ ATP}$, generates carbon dioxide as waste, and provides hydrogen ions for electron carriers for the ETS in the form of $\text{NADH}$ and $FADH_2$ molecules.

Electron Transport System (ETS or ET Chain)

A metabolic pathway occurring at enzymes in the mitochondrial cristae that produces $32\text{ ATP}$ and consumes oxygen to form water using the $H^+$ from $\text{NADH}$ and $FADH_2$ produced in glycolysis and the TCA cycle.