Cellular Energetics Knowt

Enzymes and Their Function

1. Enzyme: Protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions.

2. Ribozyme: RNA molecule functioning as an enzyme.

3. Active Site: Region on an enzyme where the substrate binds.

4. Substrate: Reactant in an enzymatic reaction.

5. Induced Fit: The active site changes shape slightly to fit the substrate.

6. Cofactor: Non-protein ion or molecule required for enzyme function.

7. Coenzyme: Organic cofactor that assists enzymes.

8. Vitamins: Small organic molecules used to synthesize coenzymes.

Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity

9. Substrate Concentration: Higher concentration increases reaction rate until saturation.

10. Optimal pH: Specific pH where enzyme activity is highest; changes can disrupt enzyme function.

11. Temperature: Higher temperatures increase activity until denaturation.

12. Denature Loss of enzyme shape and function due to temperature or pH changes.

Enzyme Inhibition

13. Competitive Inhibition: Inhibitor competes with the substrate for the active site.

14. Noncompetitive Inhibition: Inhibitor binds elsewhere, altering enzyme shape.

Photosynthesis

15. Autotrophs: Organisms that make their own food (e.g., plants).

16. Heterotrophs: Organisms that consume others for energy.

17. Raw Materials for Photosynthesis: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).

18. Chloroplasts: Organelle where photosynthesis occurs; contains thylakoids and stroma.

19. Thylakoid: Flattened sac in the chloroplast where light reactions occur.

20. Grana: Stacks of thylakoids.

21. Stroma: Fluid-filled area in chloroplasts where the Calvin cycle occurs.

22. Chlorophyll: Pigment in thylakoid membranes that absorbs light.

Photosynthesis Processes

23. Light Reactions: Occur in the thylakoid membrane; require light to produce ATP, NADPH, and oxygen.

24. Photosystem II: Splits water to release oxygen and electrons.

25. Electron Transport Chain: Transfers electrons between Photosystem II and Photosystem I, creating an H⁺ gradient.

26. Photosystem I: Produces NADPH by reducing NADP⁺.

27. ATP Synthase: Uses H⁺ gradient to synthesize ATP.

28. Chemiosmosis: Process of ATP production tied to an H⁺ gradient.

29. Calvin Cycle: Light-independent reactions in the stroma that use ATP and NADPH to convert CO₂ into sugars.

Cellular Respiration

30. Aerobic Respiration: Requires oxygen; occurs in mitochondria.

31. Anaerobic Respiration: Does not require oxygen; occurs in the cytoplasm.

Steps of Cellular Respiration

32. Glycolysis: Occurs in the cytoplasm; breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH.

33. Prep Reaction: Converts pyruvate into acetyl CoA, releasing CO₂ and forming NADH.

34. Citric Acid Cycle: Occurs in the mitochondrial matrix; produces CO₂, ATP, NADH, and FADH₂.

35. Electron Transport Chain (ETC): Occurs in mitochondrial cristae; uses NADH and FADH₂ to produce ATP.

Key Molecules

36. ATP: Main energy currency of the cell.

37. NADH/FADH₂: Electron carriers in cellular respiration.

38. Chemiosmosis: Uses H⁺ gradient in mitochondria to produce ATP.

Reactants and Products

39. Glycolysis Reactants: Glucose, 2 NAD⁺, 2 ATP, 4 ADP+P.

40. Glycolysis Products: 2 Pyruvate, 2 NADH, 4 ATP (net gain of 2).

41. Citric Acid Cycle Reactants: 2 Acetyl CoA, 6 NAD⁺, 2 FAD, 2 ADP+P.

42. Citric Acid Cycle Products: 4 CO₂, 6 NADH, 2 FADH₂, 2 ATP.

43. ETC Reactants: 10 NADH, 2 FADH₂, 6 O₂.

44. ETC Products: 34-36 ATP, 6 H₂O.

Broad Concepts

45. Metabolic Pathway: Ordered sequence of linked reactions.

46. Activation Energy: Energy needed to start a reaction.

47. Coupled Reactions: Energy-releasing reactions drive energy-requiring reactions.