Unit 8

activation energy

the minimum amount of energy that is required to activate atoms or molecules to a condition in which they can undergo chemical transformation or physical transport

active site

a region on an enzyme that binds to a protein or other substance during a reaction

ADP

a molecule that carries energy to cells

ATP

the source of energy for use and storage at the cellular level

cellular respiration

the process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), releasing carbon dioxide and water as waste products

chemical energy

energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules

denature

when an enzyme loses it native conformation, or three-dimensional structure

energy

the ability to do work

entropy

a measure of disorder or randomness in a system

enzyme

a protein molecule that acts as a biological catalyst

endothermic (endergonic)

a chemical process that absorbs energy from its surroundings

exothermic (exergonic)

a chemical reaction that releases heat to its surroundings

first law of thermodynamics

energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be converted from one form to another

heat

the transfer of energy from a warmer object to a cooler object

induced fit

an enzyme's shape and conformation changing over time in response to substrate binding

kinetic energy

energy which a body possesses by virtue of being in motion

metabolic pathway

a linked series of chemical reactions occurring within a cell

metabolism

the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life

potential energy

The energy possessed by a body as a result of its position or condition rather than its motion

second law of thermodynamics

entropy, or disorder, increases over time in a closed system

substrate

the substance that an enzyme acts upon to produce a chemical reaction

heat/thermal energy

the energy contained within a system that is responsible for its temperature

thermodynamics

the study of energy transfers and transformations that occur within living organisms