Energy and Metabolism

A comprehensive vocabulary review set covering bioenergetics, metabolism, metabolic pathways, anabolic and catabolic processes, enzyme evolution, and energy forms based on the lecture slides.

Bioenergetics

The study of energy flow through a living system.

Metabolism

Refers to all chemical reactions of a cell or organism.

Metabolic pathway

A series of biochemical reactions that converts one or more substrates into a final product.

Photosynthesis

The process by which energy from the sun is captured to convert $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ into glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$).

Cellular respiration

The process that releases the energy stored in glucose, regenerating $CO_2$ and $H_2O$.

Anabolic pathways

Pathways/reactions that require energy and synthesize larger molecules from smaller ones.

Catabolic pathways

Pathways/reactions that release energy and break down large molecules into smaller ones.

Specialized enzymes

Proteins developed as metabolic pathways diverged over time to help organisms adapt to their specific environments.

Energy

The ability to do work.

Kinetic energy

The energy possessed by objects in motion.

Potential energy

The energy possessed by objects that have the potential to move.