Metabolic Pathways Quiz

Metabolic Pathways

• A sequence of chemical reactions that occur in a specific order
• Begins with a specific molecule (reactants) and ends with a product
• Example: Cellular Respiration
  • C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy
  • Glucose (reactant) is broken down into carbon dioxide and water (products) by a series of reactions, releasing energy

Metabolism

• The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in an organism

Catabolic Pathways

• Release energy by breaking down complex molecules into simpler compounds
• Cellular respiration is an example
  • Glucose is broken down to release energy
  • Some steps can be both anabolic and catabolic

Anabolic Pathways

• Consume energy to build larger, more complex molecules from simpler ones
• Polymerization is an example
• Photosynthesis is an example
  • 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
  • Carbon dioxide and water (reactants) are converted into glucose (product) using light energy

Bioenergetics

• The study of how organisms manage their energy resources

Energy

• The capacity to do work, to move matter
  • Kinetic energy: energy of motion; all atoms exhibit kinetic energy as all molecules are in motion
  • Potential energy: amount of energy stored as a result of position or location; the rearrangement of atoms in molecules may result in the potential energy of the molecule being converted into kinetic energy

Laws of Thermodynamics

• The terms open or closed systems refer to whether or not energy can be transferred between the system and its surroundings (can energy be imported or exported)
• Closed systems - energy can not be transferred between systems and its surroundings
• Open systems - energy can be transferred between systems and its surroundings
• First Law: Energy can only be transformed; it cannot be destroyed or created
• Second Law: Each energy transformation results in less usable energy, increasing entropy (disorder).

This quiz covers essential concepts of metabolic pathways including catabolic and anabolic processes. Test your understanding of how organisms convert energy through various chemical reactions such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis.