Section 8: Metabolism & Enzymes
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SECTION 8 — METABOLISM & ENZYMES (IMAT MASTER DECK)
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METABOLISM
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What is metabolism?
The sum of all chemical reactions occurring within an organism.
What are the two major divisions of metabolism?
Catabolism and anabolism.
What is catabolism?
The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.
What is anabolism?
The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy.
Which type of pathway releases energy?
Catabolic pathways.
Which type of pathway requires energy?
Anabolic pathways.
Give examples of catabolic processes.
Cellular respiration and digestion.
Give examples of anabolic processes.
Protein synthesis, glycogen synthesis, and DNA replication.
Why are catabolic pathways important?
They provide ATP and building blocks for the cell.
Why are anabolic pathways important?
They build molecules needed for growth, repair, and reproduction.
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THERMODYNAMICS
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What is energy?
The capacity to perform work or cause change.
What are the two major forms of energy?
Kinetic energy and potential energy.
What is kinetic energy?
Energy of motion.
What is potential energy?
Stored energy due to position or structure.
What is chemical energy?
Potential energy stored in chemical bonds.
State the First Law of Thermodynamics.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed.
State the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
Every energy transfer increases the entropy of the universe.
What is entropy?
A measure of disorder or energy dispersal.
Why do living organisms not violate the Second Law?
They maintain internal order while increasing entropy in their surroundings.
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FREE ENERGY
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What is Gibbs free energy (G)?
The energy available to perform useful work.
What does ΔG represent?
The change in free energy during a reaction.
What does a negative ΔG indicate?
The reaction is exergonic and releases free energy.
What does a positive ΔG indicate?
The reaction is endergonic and requires energy input.
Are exergonic reactions spontaneous?
Yes, thermodynamically spontaneous.
Does spontaneous mean fast?
No.
What is activation energy (Ea)?
The minimum energy required to start a reaction.
Why do spontaneous reactions often occur slowly?
They still require activation energy.
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ATP
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What is ATP?
Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy currency of the cell.
What are the three components of ATP?
Adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups.
Where is most of ATP's usable energy stored?
In the phosphoanhydride bonds between phosphate groups.
What reaction releases ATP's energy?
Hydrolysis of ATP to ADP + Pi.
Why does ATP hydrolysis release energy?
The products are more stable and have lower free energy than ATP.
Write the ATP hydrolysis reaction.
ATP + H₂O → ADP + Pi + energy.
What is phosphorylation?
The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule.
Why is phosphorylation important?
It often activates molecules or couples reactions.
How does ATP couple exergonic and endergonic reactions?
Energy released from ATP hydrolysis drives energy-requiring reactions.
Why is ATP considered an energy shuttle rather than long-term storage?
It is produced and consumed rapidly.
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ENZYMES
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What is an enzyme?
A biological catalyst.
What is the primary function of an enzyme?
To increase the rate of a chemical reaction.