Chemical Energy in Cells (Enzymes)

Flashcards covering key concepts related to chemical energy in cells and enzymes, including metabolism, enzyme function, and factors affecting enzyme activity.

The total of all chemical reactions carried out by an organism is referred to as __.

Metabolism

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions by lowering __.

activation energy

In metabolic pathways, reactions are each catalyzed by a specific __.

enzyme

The breakdown of large molecules into smaller subunits is known as __ reactions.

Catabolic

The joining of small molecules to form larger, more complex molecules is called __ reactions.

Anabolic

The process by which enzyme activity is reduced by a substance binding to an enzyme is called __.

inhibition

Enzymes are generally __, although some RNA molecules can also perform this function.

proteins

Spontaneous reactions that release energy are termed __.

exergonic

Non-spontaneous reactions that require energy input are known as __.

endergonic

The specialized region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind is called the __.

active site

Competitive inhibitors affect enzyme activity by binding to the __ of the enzyme.

active site

Noncompetitive inhibitors bind to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, changing the enzyme's __.

shape

The __ pathway is common to all known organisms and indicates its ancient evolutionary origin.

glycolysis

The molecule that is often referred to as the 'energy currency' of cells is __.

ATP

Chemical energy is stored in the form of __, which is produced during cellular respiration.

glucose

In feedback inhibition, the end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits __.

an earlier step in the pathway