Term | Definition |
Metabolism- | the totality of an organism’s chemical reaction |
Metabolic pathway- | begins with a specific molecule, altered through a series of steps each with a different enzyme to catalyze the reaction, end result is a new product |
Anabolic pathway- | consume energy to build complex molecules from simpler ones |
Catabolic pathway- | Breaking down complex molecules to simpler ones |
Endergonic- | absorbs free energy, positive delta G, anabolic pathway |
Exergonic- | release of free energy, negative delta G, spontaneous, catabolic pathway |
Spontaneous- | energetically favorable |
Kinetic energy- | energy of motion |
Thermal energy- | kinetic energy associated with the random movement of atoms or molecules |
Heat- | thermal energy in transfer from one object to another |
Potential energy- | energy that matter possesses because of its position or structure |
Chemical energy- | the potential energy available for release in a chemical reaction |
Energy- | the capacity to cause change |
Thermodynamics- | the study of energy transformations that occur in a collection of matter |
First law of thermodynamics- | energy can be transferred and transformed, but it cannot be created or destroyed |
Second law of thermodynamics- | every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy of the universe |
Entropy- | a measure of disorder or randomness |
Free energy change- | the portions of a systems energy that can perform work |
Gravitational motion- | objects move spontaneously from a higher altitude to a lower one |
Diffusion- | molecules in a drop of dye diffuse until they are randomly dispersed |
Energy coupling- | the use of an exergonic process to drive an endergonic one |
ATP- | adenosine triphosphate, energy |
ATP cycle- | energy released by breakdown reactions in the cell is used to phosphorylate ADP, regenerating ATP. Chemical potential energy stored in ATP drives cellular work. |
Enzyme- | macromolecule that acts as a catalyst |
Catalyst- | a chemical agent that speeds up a reaction without being consumed by the reaction |
Activation energy- | initial investment of energy required to start a reaction |
Substrate- | the reactant an enzyme acts on |
Enzyme-substrate complex- | When the enzyme binds to its substrate |
Active site- | the restricted region of the enzyme the substrate binds to |
Competitive inhibition- | blocks substrate from entering competitive site |
Noncompetitive inhibition- | alters the shape of the enzyme so the substrate doesn’t fit and cannot bind |