Energy and Cell Metabolism

Flashcards on key vocabulary related to energy and metabolic reactions.

Potential Energy

Stored energy derived from an object's position or arrangement.

Kinetic Energy

Energy of movement.

Chemical Energy

A form of potential energy stored in the arrangement of atoms in molecules.

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy in the universe is constant; it cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Entropy always increases; energy quality in the universe is not constant.

Entropy

A measure of disorder or randomness in a system.

Exergonic Reaction

A spontaneous reaction that releases energy (ΔG < 0).

Endergonic Reaction

A non-spontaneous reaction that requires energy input (ΔG > 0).

Catabolism

The breakdown of molecules, releasing energy (exergonic reaction).

Anabolism

The synthesis of molecules, requiring energy (endergonic reaction).