chem reactions,energy,enzymes

Flashcards testing vocabulary and definitions of chemical reactions, energy types, enzymes, inorganic and organic biomolecules, and basic cell structures based on lecture notes.

Metabolism

Collectively, all the chemical reactions that occur in the body.

Potential energy

Energy that is stored, ready to be released and used to do work.

Kinetic energy

Energy in motion; work is being done.

Chemical energy

A form of potential energy stored within the chemical bonds of a substance.

Electrical energy

Energy resulting from the movement of charged particles or ions.

Mechanical energy

Energy directly transferred from one object to another, involved in moving matter.

Endergonic reaction

A chemical reaction that requires energy from another source to proceed, resulting in products that contain more energy than the reactants.

Exergonic reaction

A chemical reaction in which excess energy stored in the reactants is released, resulting in products that contain less energy than the reactants.

Catabolic reaction

A decomposition reaction in which larger substances are broken down into smaller ones ($AB \rightarrow A + B$).

Synthesis reaction

An anabolic reaction in which atoms or molecules combine to form larger, more complex molecules ($A + B \rightarrow AB$).

Exchange reaction

A chemical reaction in which one or more atoms from reactants are exchanged for one another ($AB + CD \rightarrow AD + BC$).

Oxidation-reduction reaction

A special exchange reaction where electrons and energy are transferred; the reactant that loses electrons is oxidized and the reactant that gains electrons is reduced.

Activation energy ($E_a$)

The energy required for all chemical reactions to occur by getting the reactants to the transition state.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy without being permanently altered or becoming part of the product.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy without altering the reactants or products.

Active site

A specific region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind.

Substrate

A specific substance or reactant that binds to the active site of an enzyme.