chs6-7 Microbial Metabolism

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to microbial metabolism from the provided lecture notes.

Metabolism

Total of all chemical reactions in the cell, divided into catabolism and anabolism.

Catabolism

Fueling and energy-conserving reactions that provide reducing power and generate precursors for biosynthesis.

Anabolism

The synthesis of complex organic molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy.

Thermodynamics

Laws governing energy conservation and transfer in biological systems.

ATP

A molecule that stores and provides energy for cellular work.

Oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions

Chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons, critical for energy conservation.

Chemical work

Synthesis of complex molecules requiring energy.

Transport work

Movement of nutrients and waste across cell membranes.

Mechanical work

Processes involving cell motility and movement of cellular structures.

Equilibrium constant (Keq)

Expression of equilibrium concentrations of products and reactants.

Free energy change (ΔG°)

Change in free energy at standard conditions; indicates spontaneity of reactions.

Exergonic reactions

Reactions with a negative ΔG° that proceed spontaneously.

Endergonic reactions

Reactions with a positive ΔG° that do not proceed spontaneously.

Phosphate transfer potential

Ability of a phosphorylated molecule to donate a phosphate group.

Redox pair

A conjugate pair of electron donor (reducing agent) and acceptor (oxidizing agent) in redox reactions.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

Series of electron carriers that transfer electrons and create a proton gradient to synthesize ATP.

NAD

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; an important electron carrier in metabolism.

FAD

Flavin adenine dinucleotide; another crucial electron carrier in metabolic pathways.

Enzyme

Protein that catalyzes biochemical reactions, increasing reaction rates.

Apoenzyme

The protein component of an enzyme without its cofactor.

Cofactor

Nonprotein component required for enzyme activity.

Holoenzyme

Active enzyme formed by the combination of an apoenzyme and its cofactor.

Oxidoreductase

Enzymes that catalyze oxidation-reduction reactions.

Competitive inhibitor

A molecule that directly competes with substrate binding to the active site of an enzyme.

Allosteric regulation

Control of enzyme activity by binding of effector molecules at sites other than the active site.

Feedback inhibition

Regulation mechanism where an end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an enzyme involved in its synthesis.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain carbon from organic compounds.

Autotrophs

Organisms that use carbon dioxide as their primary carbon source.