Biochemical reactions

Metabolism

All of the chemical reactions within each cell of an organism

Chemical reactions

The breaking and forming of bonds between different substances during chemical changes

Catabolic

Reactions that break down larger molecules into simpler compounds

Anabolic

Reactions that build larger molecules from simpler ones.

Activation energy

The minimum amount of energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Endothermic

A reaction that overall absorbs more energy than it releases

Exothermic

A reaction that overall releases more energy than it absorbs.

Enzyme

Speeds up a biochemical reaction by lowering its activation energy

Catalyst

Substances that speed up reactions without being permanently added

Active site

Location on an enzyme where the substrate binds