Energy Types and Thermodynamics

Study Notes

Energy Types

Potential energy is stored energy, such as in chemical bonds.
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, such as moving molecules.

Thermodynamics

The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
The second law of thermodynamics states that energy transformations increase entropy (disorder).

Chemical Reactions

Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons, with oxidation being the loss of electrons and reduction being the gain.
Free energy (G) is the energy available to do work.
Enthalpy is the total energy in a system.
Entropy is a measure of disorder.
Endergonic reactions require an input of energy to proceed (non-spontaneous).
Exergonic reactions release energy (spontaneous).
Activation energy is the energy needed to start a chemical reaction.
Catalysts speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy.

Enzymes

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up reactions.
The active site is the region on an enzyme where the substrate binds.
An enzyme-substrate complex is formed when the substrate binds to the enzyme.
Competitive inhibition occurs when an inhibitor competes with the substrate for the active site.
Non-competitive inhibition happens when an inhibitor binds to an allosteric site, changing the enzyme's shape and function.
An allosteric site is a site other than the active site where molecules can regulate enzyme activity.

Metabolism

Metabolism encompasses all the chemical reactions in an organism.
Anabolism describes energy-requiring processes that build molecules.
Catabolism describes energy-releasing processes that break down molecules.
A biochemical pathway is a series of reactions where the product of one reaction becomes the substrate for the next.
Feedback inhibition occurs when the end product of a pathway inhibits an earlier step in the pathway.

Energy Molecules

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the main energy currency in cells.
Coupled reactions involve linking exergonic and endergonic reactions, often involving ATP.

Key Enzymes

Kinases add phosphate groups.
Phosphatases remove phosphate groups.

Description

This quiz covers fundamental concepts in energy types, thermodynamics, and chemical reactions. Learn about potential and kinetic energy, laws of thermodynamics, and the role of enzymes as catalysts. Test your understanding of how energy is transformed in chemical processes.