Gibbs Free Energy, Enzymes, Cellular Respiration, and Photosynthesis

Flashcards covering key concepts in Gibbs Free Energy, Enzymes, Cellular Respiration, and Photosynthesis.

Gibbs Free Energy

Energy available to do work.

Endergonic Reaction

A reaction that is not spontaneous and absorbs energy.

Exergonic Reaction

A spontaneous reaction that releases energy.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions and reduce activation energy; they are proteins and are not consumed by the reaction.

Competitive Inhibitors

Inhibitors that bind to the active site of an enzyme.

Non-competitive Inhibitors

Inhibitors that bind to the allosteric site of an enzyme.

Denaturation

The process where the enzyme's shape changes due to alterations in pH or temperature, slowing down the reaction.

Glycolysis

The process that takes place in the cytosol, breaking down glucose into 2 pyruvates, 2 ATP, and 2 NADH.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process that takes place in the mitochondria, using NADH and FADH2 to produce ATP.

Electron transport chain

A series of proteins in the membrane where electrons are transferred, creating a proton gradient.

Chemiosmosis

The process where high protons flow down their gradient through ATP synthase to synthesize ATP.

Light Reactions

Reactions in photosynthesis that take place in the thylakoid, using water and photons to produce ATP and NADPH.

Cyclic Electron Flow

A process in photosynthesis that synthesizes ATP only.

Linear Electron Flow

A process in photosynthesis that synthesizes both ATP and NADPH.