Biochemical Pathways Flashcards
What is a biochemical reaction?
Reactions found within the cells of organisms
What is are biochemical pathways?
Interconnected/linked biochemical reactions to produce a final product from intial reactant(s)
What is Metabolism
All the biochemical pathways in a living organism form metabolism
Describe how an initial reatant is converted to a product through biochemical pathways
The product of one biochemical reaction form the reactant for next biochemical reaction. In a step-wise fashion, starting from initial product, this sequence continues until final product achieved.
Each biochemical reaction or step in a biochemical pathway requires a what?
Activity of specific enzyme
What are some examples of Biochemical Pathways?
Cellular Respiration
* Glycolysis
* Krebs Cycle
* Electron Transport Chain
Photosynthesis
* Light-dependant stage
* Light-independant stage
Nucleic Acid Pathways
* DNA Replication
* Transcription
* Translation
What is another term for reactants in a step of a biochemical pathway?
Substrate
As a reactant for an enzyme is a substrate
What are the 2 types of Biochemical Pathways?
- Anabolic
- Catabolic
What are Anabolic pathways?
Biochemical pathways that build/assemble simples (small) molecules into comples (big) molecules.
What are Catabolic pathways?
Biochemical pathways that break down complex (big) molecules into simple (small) molecules
What does Endergonic mean?
The absorbtion or use of energy in reactions
What does Exergonic mean?
The release of energy in reactions
Are Anabolic reactions endergonic or exergonic and why?
Endergonic
Building of larger molecules requires energy
* Energy level of initial reactants is lower than that of final products
Are Catabolic pathways endergonic or exergonic and why?
Exergonic
Break down of larger molecules releases energy
* Energy level of initial reactants is higher than that of final products
Describe how catabolic and anabolic reactions may work together
Energy released from catabolic reactions can be transferred to be used in anabolic reactions. Catabolic and anabolic reactions do not act in isolation.
