Unit 2: Metabolic Processes

These flashcards are intended to help review key concepts and definitions related to metabolic processes, energy transformations, and thermodynamics.

What is metabolism?

The sum of all anabolic and catabolic processes in a cell or organism.

What are catabolic reactions?

Reactions that break down macromolecules to release energy.

What are anabolic reactions?

Reactions that synthesize macromolecules, requiring energy.

What is ATP?

Adenosine triphosphate, the body's 'energy currency'.

Define energy.

The capacity to do work.

What is kinetic energy?

Energy of motion; moving objects perform work.

What is potential energy?

Stored energy, such as chemical energy in bonds.

What happens during chemical reactions in terms of energy?

Energy is absorbed when bonds are broken and released when new bonds are formed.

What is bond energy?

A measure of the strength of a chemical bond in kJ.

What does the First Law of Thermodynamics state?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.

What does the Second Law of Thermodynamics state?

During any process, the universe tends towards disorder (entropy).

How do living things decrease entropy?

By using inputs of matter and energy, such as photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

What is free energy?

The energy available to do work, the difference between kinetic and potential energy.

What are exergonic reactions?

Reactions that give off free energy and increase entropy.

What are endergonic reactions?

Reactions that require free energy and decrease entropy.

What is energy coupling?

Cells use the energy released from exergonic reactions to power endergonic reactions.