Chapter 5- Microbial Metabolism

Metabolism

the sum of the chemical reactions in an organism

Catabolic Reactions

break down organic molecules into smaller molecules, releasing energy in the process

anabolic reactions

combine smaller organic molecules into larger molecules, absorbing energy in the process

A series of metabolic reactions is called a

metabolic pathway

Amphibolic Pathway

a metabolic pathway involved in both anabolism and catabolism

ATP

• stores energy released by catabolic reactions

• releases energy to drive anabolic reactions

Catabolism and Anabolism are coupled by

ATP

Catabolism

releases energy by breaking down macromolecules

anabolism

uses energy to synthesize macromolecules

catabolism is a

exergonic reaction

anabolism is a

endergonic reaction

Nearly every metabolic pathway involves multiple

enzymes

Activation energy

collision energy needed for a chemical reaction (to make or break bonds)

Enzymes

lower activation energy (makes reactions more likely to happen) increase reaction rate, speeds up reaction

enzymes are almost always

proteins

Most enzymes consist of two portions

apoenzyme and cofactor

Apoenzyme

composted of pro