energy and metabolism

Bioenergetics

The study of energy flow through living systems, such as cells.

Metabolism

The total chemical reactions that occur inside cells, including those that use and release energy.

Anabolic pathway

A metabolic pathway that requires energy to synthesize complex molecules from simpler ones.

Catabolic pathway

A metabolic pathway that breaks down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy in the process.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

The primary energy currency of cells used to perform work.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy stored in glucose.

Cellular respiration

The process by which cells use oxygen to break down carbon compounds, producing energy in the form of ATP.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that occurs without oxygen, allowing some organisms to extract energy.

NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate)

A high-energy molecule used in the synthesis of glucose during photosynthesis.

Enzyme

A protein that catalyzes biochemical reactions, lowering the activation energy needed for those reactions.

Chemical reaction

A process that leads to the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another.

Glucose

A simple sugar that is a primary energy source for living organisms.

Metabolic pathway

A series of interconnected biochemical reactions that convert a substrate through a series of intermediates to yield final products.

Starch

A storage form of glucose in plants.

Glycogen

A storage form of glucose in animals.

Energy flow

The transfer and transformation of energy from one form to another within living systems.