Metabolism Overview and Enzymatic Reactions

These flashcards cover key concepts related to metabolism, including definitions and important terms regarding catabolism, anabolism, enzymatic function, and regulation.

Catabolism

The part of metabolism that involves breaking down molecules to release energy.

Anabolism

The part of metabolism that involves assembling smaller molecules into larger ones, which requires energy.

Exergonic

A process that releases energy, typically associated with catabolic reactions.

Endergonic

A process that requires energy input, typically associated with anabolic reactions.

Electron Carriers

Molecules that transport electrons and protons during biochemical reactions, important for cellular respiration.

NAD+ (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)

An electron carrier that, when reduced, becomes NADH.

FAD+ (Flavin adenine dinucleotide)

An electron carrier that, when reduced, becomes FADH.

Redox Reactions

Chemical reactions involving the transfer of electrons between two species; include oxidation and reduction processes.

Phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule, typically converting ADP to ATP.

Enzyme

A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up biochemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

Activation Energy

The minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Coenzyme

A non-protein compound that is necessary for the functioning of an enzyme.

Competitive Inhibition

A form of enzyme inhibition where an inhibitor competes with the substrate for the active site.

Non-competitive Inhibition

A form of enzyme inhibition where an inhibitor binds to an allosteric site, altering the shape of the active site.

Feedback Inhibition

A regulatory mechanism where the end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an earlier step in the pathway.