Metabolic Processes Review

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary terms related to metabolic processes and energy transformations discussed in the lecture.

Metabolism

The sum of all anabolic (constructive) and catabolic (deconstructive) reactions that occur in cells.

Anabolism

The constructive aspect of metabolism that builds complex molecules from simpler ones.

Catabolism

The deconstructive aspect of metabolism that breaks down complex molecules into simpler ones.

Bond Energy

The amount of energy needed to break a bond, which is equal to the energy released when the bond is formed.

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only converted from one form to another.

Enthalpy (H)

The amount of energy in a substance; ΔH is the net energy absorbed or released in a reaction under constant pressure.

Exothermic Reaction

A reaction that releases heat to the surroundings, resulting in Hreactant > Hproduct.

Endothermic Reaction

A reaction that absorbs heat from the surroundings, with Hreactant < Hproduct.

Entropy (S)

A measure of randomness or disorder in a system; entropy tends to increase over time.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

States that entropy is constantly increasing in a closed system.

Gibb's Free Energy (ΔG)

A thermodynamic potential that indicates the spontaneity of a reaction; ΔG < 0 indicates a spontaneous reaction, ΔG > 0 indicates a non-spontaneous reaction.

Spontaneous Reactions

Reactions that occur without outside influence; predicted by changes in enthalpy or entropy.

Electron Carriers

Compounds that transport electrons from high energy compounds to low energy compounds, e.g., NAD+ and FAD.

ATP Cycle

The process by which ATP is hydrolyzed to release energy, which drives endergonic reactions in the cell.