UNIT 2- Vocab
Anabolism – Building up molecules (requires energy).
Catabolism – Breaking down molecules (releases energy).
Enzyme-substrate complex – When an enzyme and a substrate are attached.
Activation energy (EA) – Energy needed to start a reaction.
Exergonic reaction – Reaction that releases energy.
Endergonic reaction – Reaction that requires energy.
Gibbs Free Energy (G) – Usable energy in a system.
Entropy – Measure of disorder or randomness.
Thermodynamics (First and Second Laws) – Rules about energy transfer and transformation.
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) – Main energy currency in cells.
NAD+/NADH – Molecules that carry electrons for energy reactions.
NADP+/NADPH – Similar to NAD+/NADH but used in photosynthesis.
Active Transport – Movement of molecules against a gradient (requires energy).
Facilitated Diffusion – Movement of molecules through a protein channel without energy.
Symport – Two substances move in the same direction across a membrane.
Antiport – Two substances move in opposite directions across a membrane.
Uniport – A single substance moves across a membrane.
Aquaporins – Channels that allow water to pass through the cell membrane.
Osmosis – Movement of water across a membrane.
Hypertonic – Solution with higher solute concentration.
Hypotonic – Solution with lower solute concentration.
Isotonic – Solution with equal solute concentration.
Osmotic Pressure – Pressure caused by water moving across a membrane.
Cholesterol in Membranes – Molecules that keep cell membranes flexible.
Fluid Mosaic Model – Description of the cell membrane's flexible structure.
Phospholipid Bilayer – Double layer of lipids that make up cell membranes.
Integral Proteins – Proteins embedded in the cell membrane.
Peripheral Proteins – Proteins attached to the surface of the cell membrane.
Membrane Permeability – Ability of substances to pass through the membrane.
Selective Permeability – Only certain substances can pass through the membrane.
Sodium-Potassium Pump – Protein that pumps sodium out and potassium into the cell.
Chemiosmosis – Process of making ATP using a proton gradient.
Non-cyclic Photophosphorylation – Process that uses light to make ATP and NADPH.
Calvin Cycle – Process in plants that uses carbon dioxide to make glucose.
Rubisco – Enzyme that helps capture carbon dioxide in the Calvin cycle.
Carbon Fixation – Attaching carbon dioxide to make a sugar.
Light-Dependent Reactions – First stage of photosynthesis, uses light to make energy.
Photosystem II – First step in photosynthesis, captures light energy.
Photosystem I – Second step in photosynthesis, captures more light energy.
Electron Transport Chain (ETC) – Series of proteins that pass electrons to create energy.
Chlorophyll – Green pigment in plants that captures light energy.
Chloroplast – Organelle in plants where photosynthesis happens.
Stroma – Liquid inside chloroplasts where the Calvin cycle happens.
Thylakoid Membrane – Membranes inside chloroplasts where light reactions occur.
Granum – Stacks of thylakoid membranes in the chloroplast.
Microtubules – Part of the cell's skeleton that helps with movement and structure.
Microfilaments – Thin fibers in the cell that help with movement.
Intermediate Filaments – Fibers in the cell that provide support and strength.
Actin – Protein that makes up microfilaments.
Myosin – Protein that interacts with actin for muscle movement.
Cytoskeleton – Network of proteins that gives the cell its shape.
Cilia – Small hair-like structures on cells for movement.
Flagella – Long tail-like structures that help cells move.
Kinesin – Protein that helps move things inside the cell.
Dynein – Protein that helps cilia and flagella move.
Fibronectin – Protein that helps cells stick to the extracellular matrix.
Extracellular Matrix (ECM) – Network outside cells that provides structure and support.
Basal Body – Structure that anchors cilia and flagella to the cell.
Mitochondria – Organelle that produces energy for the cell.
Coenzyme – Molecule that helps enzymes work.
Cofactor – Non-protein helper needed for enzyme activity.
Allosteric Inhibition – When a molecule binds to an enzyme and reduces its activity.
Feedback Inhibition – Process where the end product of a reaction stops the reaction from happening again.
Competitive Inhibition – When a molecule competes with the substrate for the active site of an enzyme.
Non-competitive Inhibition – When a molecule binds elsewhere on an enzyme and changes its shape.
Denaturation – When a protein loses its shape and function due to heat or pH changes.
Substrate – Molecule that an enzyme acts on.
Transition State – The point in a reaction where old bonds break and new bonds form.
Induced Fit Model – Model describing how enzymes change shape to fit their substrate.
Optimal Temperature – Temperature where an enzyme works best.
Optimal pH – pH level where an enzyme works best.
Enzyme Saturation – Point where all enzyme active sites are filled with substrate.
Substrate Concentration – Amount of substrate available for the enzyme to act on.
Rate of Reaction – How fast a reaction occurs.
pH Scale – Scale that measures how acidic or basic something is.
Kinetic Energy – Energy of movement.
Potential Energy – Stored energy.
Diffusion – Movement of molecules from high concentration to low concentration.
Passive Transport – Movement of molecules across a membrane without energy.
Light-Independent Reactions – Second stage of photosynthesis, doesn't need light (Calvin cycle).
Quaternary Protein Structure – Structure formed by multiple protein subunits.
Activation Site – Part of an enzyme where the substrate binds.
Energy Coupling – Using energy from one reaction to power another.
Energy Diagrams – Graphs showing the energy changes during a reaction.
Metabolic Pathways – Series of chemical reactions in a cell.