Biochemistry of Nitrogen and Metabolism

Flashcards summarizing key vocabulary terms from the lecture notes on biochemistry related to nitrogen and metabolism.

Metabolism

The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.

Nitrogen Fixation

The process of converting nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available for incorporation into organic molecules.

Nitrate Reductase

An enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of nitrate (NO3-) to nitrite (NO2-).

Nitrite Reductase

An enzyme that reduces nitrite (NO2-) to ammonium (NH4+).

Gluconeogenesis

The metabolic pathway that results in the generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate substrates.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to release stored energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Amino Acids

Organic compounds that combine to form proteins, consisting of a basic amino group, an acid group, a hydrogen atom, and a distinctive side chain.

Proteins

Large biomolecules consisting of one or more long chains of amino acid residues, playing critical roles in the body.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The metabolic pathway in which cells use enzymes to oxidize nutrients, thereby releasing energy, which is used to produce ATP.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle in eukaryotic cells that forms an interconnected network of membranes, playing a crucial role in protein and lipid synthesis.

Glycogenesis

The process of converting glucose into glycogen for storage in the liver and muscle tissues.

Photorespiration

A process that occurs in plants where oxygen is taken up and carbon dioxide is released, reversing the normal photosynthetic process.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, releasing energy and forming ATP.

Cofactors

Non-protein chemical compounds that are required for the biological activity of some enzymes.