Bioenergetics

Metabolism

The body's chemical processes that convert food and drink into energy and sustain life functions.

Anabolic reactions

Reactions that synthesize or build new molecules.

Catabolic reactions

Reactions that break down molecules.

Cytosol

The fluid part of the cytoplasm where metabolic reactions occur.

Endergonic Reactions

Reactions that require energy to be added for them to take place.

Exergonic Reactions

Reactions that use energy from food to synthesize ATP.

Coupled Reactions

Reactions where the energy released by an exergonic reaction drives an endergonic reaction.

Ionic Bonds

Bonds formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

Covalent Bonds

Bonds formed by sharing valence electrons between atoms.

Oxidation

The process of removing an electron from a molecule.

Reduction

The process of adding an electron to a molecule.

NAD

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, involved in electron transport as an electron carrier.

FAD

Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide, also involved in electron transport.

Enzymes

Proteins that speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

Kinases

Enzymes that add phosphate groups to molecules.

Dehydrogenases

Enzymes that remove hydrogen atoms from molecules.

Lactate Dehydrogenase

An enzyme that converts pyruvate to lactate.

Glycogen

The storage form of glucose in liver and muscle.

Lipolysis

The breakdown of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol.

Beta Oxidation

The process of converting fatty acids to acetyl-CoA.

Citric Acid Cycle

Also known as the Krebs cycle, it facilitates the complete oxidation of acetyl-CoA.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes in the mitochondria that convert ADP into ATP using energy from electrons.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process of generating ATP through the electron transport chain.

Free Radicals

Highly reactive molecules that can cause cellular damage, generated during electron transport.

ATP

Adenosine Triphosphate, the universal energy donor in cells.

Creatine Kinase

An enzyme that catalyzes the reaction to quickly produce ATP from phosphocreatine.

Phosphagen System

An energy system that uses phosphocreatine to rapidly provide ATP for high-intensity exercise.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP in the process.

Acetyl-CoA

A two-carbon molecule derived from carbohydrates, fats, or proteins that enters the citric acid cycle.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A waste product of the oxidative metabolism of glucose.

Diagnostic Enzyme Levels

Enzyme levels in the blood can indicate diseases or tissue damage.

Rate Limiting Enzymes

Enzymes that regulate the rate of a metabolic pathway.

Calcium in ATP Production

Calcium stimulates aerobic ATP production and initiates muscle contraction.