Biological Energy and Metabolism

These flashcards cover key terms related to energy, metabolism, and enzyme function as discussed in the lecture.

Activation Energy

The energy necessary for reactions to occur.

Active Site

An enzyme's specific region to which the substrate binds.

Allosteric Inhibition

Inhibition by a binding event at a site different from the active site, which reduces the enzyme's affinity for its substrate.

Anabolic

Pathways that require energy input to synthesize complex molecules from simpler ones.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the cell’s energy currency.

Bioenergetics

The study of energy flowing through living systems.

Catabolic

Pathways in which complex molecules break down into simpler ones.

Chemical Energy

Potential energy in chemical bonds that releases when those bonds are broken.

Coenzyme

A small organic molecule required to enhance an enzyme's activity.

Cofactor

An inorganic ion required for optimal enzyme activity.

Competitive Inhibition

Type of inhibition in which the inhibitor competes for the enzyme's active site.

Denature

Process that changes a substance's natural properties.

Endergonic

Describes chemical reactions that require energy input.

Enthalpy

A system's total energy.

Entropy

Measure of randomness or disorder within a system.

Exergonic

Describes chemical reactions that release free energy.

Feedback Inhibition

A product's effect in a reaction sequence to decrease its production by inhibiting the first enzyme's activity.

Free Energy

Gibbs free energy, which is the usable energy available to do work.

Heat Energy

Energy transferred from one system to another that is not work.

Induced Fit

Dynamic fit between enzyme and substrate, modifying their structures for ideal binding.

Kinetic Energy

Energy type that takes place with objects or particles in motion.

Metabolism

All the chemical reactions that take place inside cells, including anabolism and catabolism.

Phosphoanhydride Bond

Bond that connects phosphates in an ATP molecule.

Potential Energy

Energy type that has the potential to do work; stored energy.

Substrate

The molecule on which the enzyme acts.

Thermodynamics

The study of energy and energy transfer involving physical matter.

Transition State

High-energy, unstable state occurring during a chemical reaction.