Metabolism and Energy Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing metabolic processes, energy, and thermodynamics.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions that change/transform matter and energy in cells.

Metabolic Pathway

A sequence of chemical reactions in living cells that begins with a specific molecule and ends with a product, catalyzed by specific enzymes.

Catabolic Pathways (Catabolism)

The process of breaking down large complex molecules into smaller molecules, releasing energy.

Anabolic Pathways (Anabolism)

The process of building larger molecules from smaller molecules, using energy.

Free Energy

The capacity to do work (cause change).

Kinetic Energy

Energy associated with motion.

Potential Energy

Stored energy.

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds.

Bond Energy

Energy required to break or form a chemical bond.

Thermal Energy

Energy contained within a system that is responsible for its temperature.

Heat

The flow of thermal energy.

Thermodynamics

The study of energy changes.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The energy of the universe is constant; energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Disorder in the universe is continuously increasing.

Free-Energy Change (ΔG)

Energy from a chemical reaction that is available for doing work.

Exergonic Reaction

Net release of free energy (-∆G); spontaneous.

Endergonic Reaction

Absorbs free energy (+∆G); not spontaneous.

Coupled Reactions

Energy from catabolic reactions is used to power anabolic reactions.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The cell's energy shuttle, composed of ribose, adenine, and three phosphate groups.

Electron Carriers

Compounds that pick up electrons from energy-rich compounds and donate them to low-energy compounds.