Metabolism and Energy Concepts

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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?

Energy associated with motion. Signup and view all the answers

What is heat/thermal energy?

Energy associated with the random movement of atoms and molecules. Signup and view all the answers

What is potential energy?

Energy matter possesses because of location or structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is chemical energy?

Potential energy available for release in a chemical reaction. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first law of thermodynamics?

Energy can be transferred and transformed but cannot be created or destroyed. Signup and view all the answers

What is Gibbs free energy?

G=H-TS, where H is enthalpy (heat content), T is temperature, and S is entropy or randomness. Signup and view all the answers

What is an exergonic reaction?

A reaction that proceeds with a net release of free energy, where the change of G is negative. Signup and view all the answers

What is an endergonic reaction?

A reaction that proceeds by absorbing free energy from the surroundings, where the change of G is positive. Signup and view all the answers

What is energy coupling?

The use of an exergonic process to drive an endergonic one. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 kinds of work performed in living cells?

Chemical, transport, mechanical. Signup and view all the answers

What is ATP?

An energy coupling molecule. Signup and view all the answers

What is an enzyme?

A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up reactions without being consumed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a substrate?

The reactant that an enzyme acts on. Signup and view all the answers

What is an enzyme-substrate complex?

The complex formed when an enzyme converts its substrate into the products of the reaction. Signup and view all the answers

What is an active site?

The region where the substrate binds to the enzyme. Signup and view all the answers

What factors affect enzyme activity?

Temperature and pH. Signup and view all the answers

What are competitive inhibitors?

Molecules that compete with the substrate to bind at the active site. Signup and view all the answers

What are non-competitive inhibitors?

Molecules that bind to another part of the protein, decreasing the effectiveness of the enzyme. Signup and view all the answers

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.