Energy and Metabolism

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to energy and metabolism, including definitions, processes, and biochemical pathways essential for understanding cellular functions.

What is Kinetic Energy?

Energy of motion.

What is Potential Energy?

Stored energy based on position or state.

How do electrons relate to energy levels?

Electrons at higher energy levels have more potential energy.

What is oxidation in terms of electron transfer?

Loss of an electron.

What is reduction in terms of electron transfer?

Gain of an electron.

What is a redox reaction?

A reaction involving the transfer of electrons where one substance is oxidized and another is reduced.

What occurs to the energy level of electrons in the electron transport chain?

The energy level decreases as electrons pass through.

What is the First Law of Thermodynamics?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms.

What is the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

In a closed system, the total entropy can only increase over time.

Define Metabolism.

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within a living organism.

What is Anabolism?

The metabolic process that builds molecules from smaller units.

What is Catabolism?

The metabolic process that breaks down molecules into smaller units.

What is the difference between Endergonic and Exergonic reactions?

Endergonic reactions require energy input, while Exergonic reactions release energy.

What is Activation Energy?

The minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

What is ATP?

Adenosine Triphosphate, the energy currency of cells.

What happens during ATP hydrolysis?

ATP is broken down into ADP and inorganic phosphate, releasing energy.

What is the role of Enzymes?

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

What is the enzyme-substrate complex?

A temporary complex formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate.

Define Denaturation in proteins.

A structural change in proteins that results in the loss of their biological properties.

What is Competitive Inhibition?

A process where an inhibitor binds to the active site of an enzyme, preventing substrate binding.

What is Noncompetitive Inhibition?

An inhibitor binds to an allosteric site, changing the shape of the enzyme and preventing substrate binding.

What are Biochemical Pathways?

A series of chemical reactions occurring within a cell where the product of one reaction becomes the substrate for the next.

What is Feedback Inhibition?

A regulatory mechanism in which the end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an enzyme involved in its synthesis.

How does pH affect enzyme activity?

Each enzyme has an optimal pH for activity, outside of which activity decreases.

How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

Enzymes have optimal temperatures at which they function best; too high or too low temperatures can reduce activity.

What type of reaction is ADP + P + energy → ATP?

An endergonic reaction.

What type of reaction is ATP → ADP + P + energy?

An exergonic reaction.

What is the difference between spontaneous and non-spontaneous reactions?

Spontaneous reactions proceed without external energy input, while non-spontaneous reactions require energy.

What is free energy (G)?

The energy available to do work in a chemical reaction.

In terms of metabolism, what is an anabolic reaction?

A reaction that builds larger molecules from smaller ones, consuming energy.

In terms of metabolism, what is a catabolic reaction?

A reaction that breaks down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy.