Ch 6 Flashcards
Activation energy
Energy necessary for reactions to occur.
Active site
Enzyme’s specific region to which the substrate binds.
Allosteric inhibition
Inhibition bybinding at a site different from the active site, reducing enzyme-substrate affinity.
Anabolic (Anabolism)
Pathways building complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy input.
ATP
Adenosine triphosphate, the cell’s energy currency.
Bioenergetics
Study of energy flow through living systems.
Catabolic (Catabolism)
Pathways breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.
Chemical energy
Potential energy stored in chemical bonds, released when broken.
Coenzyme
Small organic molecule (vitamin derivative) enhancing enzyme activity.
Cofactor
Inorganic ion (e.g., iron, magnesium) required for optimal enzyme activity.
Competitive inhibition
Inhibitor competes with substrate for the enzyme’s active site.
Denature
Process changing a substance’s natural properties (e.g., protein shape).
Endergonic
Chemical reactions requiring energy input.
Enthalpy
A system’s total energy.
Entropy (S)
Measure of randomness or disorder within a system.
Exergonic
Chemical reactions releasing free energy.
Feedback inhibition
Product of a reaction sequence inhibits its own production by blocking the first enzyme.
Free energy
Usable energy available to do work (Gibbs free energy).
Heat energy
Energy transferred between systems as non-work (e.g., molecular motion).
Induced fit
Dynamic interaction between enzyme and substrate, both adapting for optimal binding.
Kinetic energy
Energy associated with objects or particles in motion.
Metabolism
All chemical reactions within cells, including anabolism and catabolism.
Potential energy
Stored energy with the potential to do work.
Substrate
Molecule an enzyme acts on.
