Biology Final

Elements

These make up matter and cannot be broken down or transformed chemically into other substances.

Atomic Number

This is equal to the number of protons that an element has.

Mass Number/Atomic Mass

The number of protons plus the number of neutrons.

Isotopes

Different forms of the same element that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

Radioactive Isotopes

Isotopes that will lose protons and other subatomic particles or energy to form more stable elements.

Metabolism

All of the chemical reactions that take place inside cells, including those that consume or generate energy.

Anabolic Pathways

Small molecules are built into large one. Energy is required.

Catabolic Pathways

Large molecules are broken down into small ones. Energy is released.

Enzymes

Molecules that help chemical reactions occur. They bind to the reactant molecules and hold them in a way that makes the chemical bond-breaking and forming processes easier. Basically the enzyme reduces the activation energy required for the reaction. After the reaction the enzyme remains unchanged.

Substrates

The chemical reactants that the enzyme binds to, there may be one or more depending on the reaction.

Active Site

The location within the enzyme where the substrate binds.

Competitive Inhibition

This is when an inhibitor molecule is similar enough to a substrate that it can bind to the active site and blocks the substrate from binding.

Noncompetitive Inhibition

An inhibitor molecule binds to the enzyme in a location other than the the active site (allosteric site) but still prevents the substrate from binding.

Allosteric Inhibition

This is when inhibitor molecules bind to enzymes in a location that causes a conformational changes that reduces the enzyme activity.

Feedback Inhibition

The use of a reaction product to regulate it’s own further production.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

Basically the main source of energy in cells.

Glycolysis