Metabolism and Enzyme Regulation

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and definitions related to metabolism and enzyme regulation based on the lecture notes.

Metabolism

The totality of an organism’s chemical reactions, an emergent property of life.

Metabolic Pathway

A series of chemical reactions that build (anabolism) or break down (catabolism) complex molecules.

Catabolic Pathway

Pathways that release energy by breaking down complex molecules into simpler compounds.

Anabolic Pathway

Pathways that consume energy to build complex molecules from simpler ones.

Exergonic Reaction

A reaction that releases energy, often associated with the breakdown of molecules.

Endergonic Reaction

A reaction that requires an input of energy and yields products rich in potential energy.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

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

Activation Energy (EA)

The initial energy needed to start a chemical reaction.

Enzyme

A catalytic protein that speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy.

Substrate

The reactant that an enzyme acts on.

Allosteric Regulation

Regulation of enzyme activity where a regulatory molecule binds to a protein at one site, affecting function at another site.

Feedback Inhibition

A process where the end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an enzyme involved in its production.

Cofactor

A non-protein helper that assists enzymes in their activity; can be inorganic or organic (coenzyme).

Competitive Inhibitor

A substance that binds to the active site of an enzyme, competing with the substrate.

Noncompetitive Inhibitor

A substance that binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, changing the enzyme's shape.

Chemistry of Life

The organization of biochemical reactions in living cells, including metabolism, enzyme function, and energy transfer.