Energy and Metabolism Lecture Notes

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts related to energy, metabolism, enzyme function, and biochemical processes.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions performed by a cell, including both anabolic and catabolic pathways.

Anabolic Pathway

A metabolic pathway where small molecules are built up into larger ones, requiring energy.

Catabolic Pathway

A metabolic pathway where large molecules are broken down into smaller ones, releasing energy.

Activation Energy

The energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Enzyme

Proteins that aid in biochemical reactions, either breaking down or building molecules.

Substrate

The starting molecule that binds to the active site of an enzyme.

Products

The ending molecules produced from a biochemical reaction.

Competitive Inhibition

A form of enzyme regulation where another molecule blocks the active site of an enzyme.

Non-competitive Inhibition

A form of enzyme regulation where a molecule binds elsewhere on the enzyme, altering the active site.

Allosteric Inhibition

Inhibition of an enzyme's activity due to a molecule binding to a site other than the active site.

Activator

A molecule that binds to an enzyme to help it work better.

Co-factors

Inorganic ions that assist in enzyme function, such as Fe or Mg.

Co-enzymes

Organic compounds that assist enzymes, often derived from vitamins.

Feedback Inhibition

A regulatory mechanism where the end product of a reaction inhibits further production.

Free Energy

The amount of energy available to do work in a system.

Exergonic Reaction

A reaction that releases energy, typically associated with catabolic pathways.

Endergonic Reaction

A reaction that requires energy input, typically associated with anabolic pathways.