Cellular Energy Vocab A

ATP: The energy molecule found in all living things.

ADP: A nucleotide that has two phosphate groups attached to it.

First Law of Thermodynamics: `Explains that energy cannot be created or

destroyed.

Entropy: Unavailable energy in an ecosystem.

Chemoautotrophs: Organisms that make their own food by using chemical

energy.

Metabolism: The chemical changes that take place in a cell or organism.

Catabolic Pathway: Involves the breakdown of complex molecules into

simpler ones typically releasing energy in the process.

Anabolic Pathway: The building of larger molecules from smaller molecules

usually involving the input of energy.

Photosynthesis: The process by which (mostly) plants use sunlight, water,

and carbon dioxide to make sugar and oxygen.

Cellular Respiration: A chemical process in which oxygen is used to make

energy from carbohydrates (sugars).