Chapter 6: Energy, Enzymes, and Cellular Respiration

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering bioenergetics, thermodynamics, electron carriers, enzyme function, and the stages of cellular respiration from Chapter 6.

Endergonic

A reaction that requires energy.

Exergonic

A reaction that releases energy.

ATP Hydrolysis

An exergonic reaction coupled with endergonic reactions, where the energy released from breaking ATP's phosphate bond is transferred directly to do cellular work.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The thermodynamic principle applied by cells when coupling exergonic and endergonic reactions, ensuring energy released from breaking ATP's phosphate bond is not lost but transferred directly to perform work and build molecules.

Chemical (Potential) Energy

The type of energy consumed in food, which is subsequently converted into ATP.

$$NAD^+$$

An oxidized electron carrier ($e^-$ carrier).

NADH

A reduced electron carrier ($e^-$ carrier).

Enzymes

Biological molecules that reduce activation energy and speed up chemical reactions.

Glycolysis

The initial metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate.

ATP Synthase

The enzyme downstream of the electron transport chain that synthesizes ATP from $ADP + P$.