Module 2 Cell Bio Vocab

Metabolism

The sum of the chemical reactions in an organism

Catabolism

The set of metabolic pathways that break down molecules into smaller units

Anabolism

The set of metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units

Catabolic reactions

Provide energy (ATP) and building blocks for anabolism

Anabolic reactions

Use energy (ATP) and building blocks to build molecules

Energy

The capacity to do work (can be used for development, growth, repair, etc)

Kinetic energy

The energy of motion, all moving objects have it

Temperature

A measure of the average internal kinetic energy of a system

Potential energy

Stored energy, energy possessed due to location/structure

Food

A form of kinetic energy that locks energy in bonds (potential) until it is freed for use in work (kinetic)

Thermodynamics

The study of energy transformations (energy transfer within a system)

1st law of thermodynamics

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but can be transferred and transformed

2nd law of thermodynamics

Every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy (disorder or randomness; lack of order or predictability) of the universe (system + surroundings)

Gibbs free energy (delta G)

The net energy associated with a reaction, process, or system that is available to do work

Spontaneous processes

Processes that occur without energy input, can happen quickly or slowly, are exergonic and have -delta G values

Non-spontaneous processes

Processes that occur with a need for energy input, can happen quickly or slowly, are endergonic and have +delta G value

Oxidation-reduction reactions (redox reactions)

Chemical reactions that transfer electrons between reactants

Oxidation

A substance loses electrons, or is oxidized

Reduction

A substance gains electrons, or is reduced (the amount of positive charge is reduced)

Oxidizing agents

Electron acceptors which facilitate oxidation; they become reduced (most often oxygen, hydrogen, peroxide, and halogens)

Reducing agents

Electron donors which facilitate reduction; they become oxidized (common ones are metals like K, Ca, Ba, Na, and Li)

ATP and GTP

Chemical co-enzymes used by the cell to store energy generated through catabolic reactions

NADH and FADH2

Co-enzymes which, when reduced (carry hydrogen) also carry electrons and are in their high energy states; they are used to provide energy for the electron transport chain

Energy coupling

Linking an endergonic and exergonic reaction together so that the energy provided by the exergonic reaction can fuel the endergonic reaction (most involve redox reactions)

ATP hydrolysis

The conversion of ATP to ADP)

Open system

A system where energy and matter can be transferred between the system and its surroundings (organisms are open systems)

Closed systems

Can only transfer energy to their surroundings, but may not receive energy; don’t really exist in nature

Isolated system

A system that is unable to exchange energy or matter with its surroundings (like liquid in a thermos)

Heat

Thought of as useless energy