Basic Chemical Reactions in Metabolism

Metabolism

Chemical reactions for growth and energy production.

Catabolic Pathways

Break down larger molecules into smaller ones.

Exergonic

Reactions that release energy during breakdown.

Anabolic Pathways

Synthesize larger molecules from smaller ones.

Endergonic

Reactions that require energy input.

Energy Coupling

Using energy from catabolism to drive anabolism.

Oxidation

Loss of electrons from a molecule.

Reduction

Gain of electrons by a molecule.

Redox Reactions

Simultaneous oxidation and reduction processes.

NAD+

Important electron carrier in metabolic reactions.

ATP

Energy currency of the cell, produced during metabolism.

Phosphorylation

Process of adding phosphate to ADP to regenerate ATP.

Substrate-level Phosphorylation

Direct transfer of phosphate from a substrate.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

ATP production using energy from redox reactions.

Photophosphorylation

ATP production using light energy.

Enzymes

Proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions.

Apoenzyme

Inactive enzyme without its cofactor.

Holoenzyme

Active enzyme with its cofactor bound.

Competitive Inhibitors

Bind to the active site of enzymes.

Noncompetitive Inhibitors

Bind to allosteric site, altering enzyme shape.

Glycolysis

Breakdown of glucose into pyruvic acid.

Krebs Cycle

Processes pyruvic acid to produce energy carriers.

Electron Transport Chain

Series of reactions generating ATP via proton gradient.

Anaerobic Respiration

Uses inorganic molecules as final electron acceptors.

Fermentation

Partial glucose oxidation regenerating NAD+.