AP Bio Unit 3

Endergonic

Reactions that absorb energy and would not occur spontaneously.

Exergonic

Reactions that release energy.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, responsible for mediating most energy coupling reactions in cells.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones.

Hydrolysis

The chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water.

Phosphorylated intermediate

The result of ATP phosphorylating a molecule, usually a reactant.

Active Site

The region where an enzyme binds to its substrate.

Induced Fit

The process where an enzyme changes shape upon substrate binding.

Cofactors

Nonprotein helpers required by many enzymes, which can be inorganic.

Coenzymes

Organic nonprotein molecules that assist in enzyme function.

Allosteric Regulation

The regulation of an enzyme by binding of a molecule at a site other than the active site.

Enzyme-substrate complex

An intermediate formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate.

Activation energy

The energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Competitive Inhibition

Type of inhibition where an inhibitor mimics the substrate and binds to the active site.

Non-competitive Inhibition

Inhibition that changes the shape of the active site, preventing substrate binding.

Regeneration of ATP

The process of adding a phosphate group to ADP to form ATP.

Optimal Temperature

The temperature at which an enzyme's activity is maximized without denaturing.

Optimal pH

The pH level at which an enzyme functions best.