Updated- M3(1) - Energy and ATP Flashcards

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to energy and metabolism in biological systems.

Energy

The capacity to perform work.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy carrier in cells.

Enthalpy

A measure of the total energy content of a system.

Entropy

A measure of disorder or randomness in a system.

Metabolism

The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.

Catabolic Pathways

Metabolic pathways that break down molecules, releasing energy.

Anabolic Pathways

Metabolic pathways that build molecules, requiring energy.

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Entropy in a closed system tends to increase over time.

Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG)

The energy available to do useful work, used to predict spontaneity of reactions.

Exothermic Reaction

A reaction that releases heat to the surroundings.

Endothermic Reaction

A reaction that absorbs heat from the surroundings.

Bioenergetics

The study of energy flow through living systems.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in an organism.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

Spontaneous

Decrease enthalpy; increase entropy

non spontaneous

increase in enthalpy; decrease entropy