Chapter 5: The Dynamic Cell - Energy and ATP

Vocabulary flashcards covering the basics of biological energy, thermodynamics, entropy, ATP dynamics, and opioid receptor function from Chapter 5.

Opioid Receptors

A group of transmembrane proteins that control pain, reward, and addictive behaviors when bound by opioids such as morphine or heroin.

Mu Receptors

A type of opioid receptor that functions as a molecular switch triggering the brain reward system; they are acted upon by morphine.

Delta Receptors

A class of opioid transmembrane receptors that appear to play a role in determining an individual's emotional state.

Kappa Receptors

A class of opioid transmembrane receptors that are specifically associated with pain relief.

Energy

The capacity to do work, or to make things happen.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of motion, exemplified by a ball rolling down a hill or walking through a field.

Potential Energy

Stored energy whose capacity to accomplish work is not actively being used at the moment.

Chemical Energy

A form of potential energy stored within the chemical bonds of organic molecules, such as food.

Mechanical Energy

A type of kinetic energy produced when chemical energy is converted during physical movement, such as walking or muscle contraction.

Joule

The unit of measurement used by chemists to measure energy.

Calorie

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of $1\text{ gram}$ of water by $1^\text{ o}\text{C}$.

Kilocalorie (Calorie)

An energy unit equal to $1{,}000\text{ calories}$, designated on food labels and in scientific studies with an uppercase "C".

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The minimum energy requirement needed to sustain life, supporting functions like body temperature maintenance, heartbeat, and basic nervous functions.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The law of conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can be changed from one form to another.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

The principle stating that energy cannot be changed from one form to another without a loss of usable energy, typically as heat.

Entropy

The relative amount of disorganization or disorder within a system.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

The universal energy currency of cells; a nucleotide composed of adenine, ribose, and three linked phosphate groups used to fuel cellular work.

Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP)

The more stable molecule formed when ATP loses its terminal phosphate group, releasing energy in the reaction $ATP \rightarrow ADP + P$.

Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP)

The nucleotide molecule that forms when ADP loses an additional phosphate group.

ATP Cycle

The continual process of breaking down ATP into ADP and phosphate to release energy, followed by regenerating ATP using energy from cellular respiration.