General Biology I Lecture 7a: Energy & ATP

These flashcards cover important terminology and concepts related to energy, metabolic pathways, and the role of ATP as discussed in the lecture.

Energy

The ability to do work.

Metabolism

The sum total of all energy-manipulating biochemical reactions in a cell.

Homeostasis

The processes that maintain a stable internal environment in an organism.

Photosynthesis

Process by which phototrophs capture sunlight to create glucose.

Cellular respiration

The process by which heterotrophs burn glucose to obtain energy (ATP).

Bioenergetics

The study of how organisms exchange energy to fuel life processes.

Kinetic energy

The energy of motion.

Potential energy

The energy an object has due to its location or structure.

Thermodynamics

The study of energy transformations.

Entropy

A measure of disorder or randomness in a system.

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in cells.

Activation energy

The minimum energy needed for a chemical reaction to occur.

Anabolic pathways

Metabolic pathways that build molecules and require energy.

Catabolic pathways

Metabolic pathways that break down molecules and release energy.

Activated carriers

Molecules like ATP and NADH that store and shuttle high-energy electrons.

Redox reactions

Chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons between molecules.

Exergonic reactions

Reactions that release energy.

Endergonic reactions

Reactions that require energy input.