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Questions and Answers
What is metabolism?
The totality of an organism's chemical reactions, including those that generate and consume energy.
What is a catabolic pathway?
A pathway that breaks down complex molecules and releases energy.
What is an anabolic pathway?
A pathway that consumes energy to build complicated molecules.
What is kinetic energy?
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What is heat/thermal energy?
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What is potential energy?
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What is chemical energy?
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What is the first law of thermodynamics?
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What is Gibbs free energy?
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What is an exergonic reaction?
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What is an endergonic reaction?
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What is energy coupling?
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What are the 3 kinds of work performed in living cells?
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What is ATP?
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What is an enzyme?
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What is a substrate?
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What is an enzyme-substrate complex?
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What is an active site?
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What factors affect enzyme activity?
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What are competitive inhibitors?
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What are non-competitive inhibitors?
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Study Notes
Metabolism
- Totality of an organism's chemical reactions.
- Includes energy-generating reactions and energy-consuming reactions.
Catabolic Pathway
- Breaks down complex molecules.
- Releases energy during the breakdown process.
Anabolic Pathway
- Consumes energy to construct complex molecules.
- Important for synthesis and growth.
Kinetic Energy
- Energy associated with the motion of objects.
- Relevant in processes involving moving particles.
Heat/Thermal Energy
- Energy tied to the random movement of atoms and molecules.
- Often a byproduct of energy transformations.
Potential Energy
- Energy that a substance possesses due to its position or structure.
- Critical for understanding stored energy in systems.
Chemical Energy
- Type of potential energy available for release during chemical reactions.
- Fundamental in metabolic processes.
First Law of Thermodynamics
- Energy can be transferred or transformed but cannot be created or destroyed.
- Essential principle for understanding energy conservation.
Gibbs Free Energy
- Equation: G = H - TS
- G: Gibbs free energy
- H: Enthalpy (heat content)
- T: Temperature
- S: Entropy (degree of disorder).
Exergonic Reaction
- Reaction that releases free energy.
- The change in G is negative; can occur spontaneously.
Endergonic Reaction
- Reaction that absorbs free energy from surroundings.
- The change in G is positive; not spontaneous.
Energy Coupling
- Utilization of an exergonic process to drive an endergonic process.
- Crucial for maintaining energy balance in cells.
Three Kinds of Work in Living Cells
- Chemical Work: Building complex molecules.
- Transport Work: Moving substances across membranes.
- Mechanical Work: Muscle contraction and cell movements.
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)
- Serves as a key energy coupling molecule.
- Central in energy transfer processes.
Enzyme
- Protein that acts as a catalyst, speeding up reactions without being consumed.
- Lowers the free energy needed to reach activation energy.
Substrate
- The reactant that an enzyme acts upon.
- Binds to the enzyme at the active site to form the enzyme-substrate complex.
Enzyme-Substrate Complex
- The intermediate formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate.
- Site where enzymatic conversion to products occurs.
Active Site
- Specific region on the enzyme where substrate binding takes place.
- Determines enzyme's specificity and function.
Enzyme Activity
- Influenced by temperature and pH levels.
- Optimal conditions are necessary for maximum catalytic efficiency.
Competitive Inhibitors
- Molecules that compete with substrates for binding at the active site.
- Reduces enzyme activity by preventing substrate binding.
Non-Competitive Inhibitors
- Molecules that bind to an enzyme at a site other than the active site.
- Decrease the enzyme’s effectiveness without competing with substrate.
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Description
This quiz covers key concepts in metabolism, including catabolic and anabolic pathways, as well as different forms of energy such as kinetic, thermal, and potential energy. Understand the fundamental principles that govern energy transformations in biological systems, especially the First Law of Thermodynamics.
