Biochemical Reactions and Enzyme Function

These flashcards cover key concepts related to phosphorylation, enzyme action, and biochemical reactions as presented in the lecture notes.

Phosphorylation

The process of adding a phosphate group to a molecule, such as glucose, which often alters its function and prevents it from leaving the cell.

Glucose 6 Phosphate

The phosphorylated form of glucose that acts as an important intermediate in various metabolic pathways.

Endergonic Reaction

A reaction that requires energy input to proceed, characterized by a positive delta G.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy currency of the cell, which provides energy for biochemical reactions.

Exergonic Reaction

A reaction that releases energy and has a negative delta G, indicating it can occur spontaneously under the right conditions.

Hexokinase

An enzyme that facilitates the phosphorylation of glucose, lowering the activation energy required for the reaction.

Coupled Reactions

A process where an endergonic reaction is paired with an exergonic reaction to drive a metabolic process forward.

Nucleophilic Attack

A reaction mechanism where an electron-rich species attacks a positively charged or electron-deficient atom, such as a phosphorus atom in phosphorylation.

Activation Energy

The minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Magnesium Ion (Mg²+)

A cofactor that often assists enzymes like hexokinase in biochemical reactions, stabilizing negative charges and facilitating nucleophilic attacks.