Chapter 5 - Microbial Metabolism Flashcards
Metabolism
-the buildup and breakdown of nutrients within a cell
-sum of all chemical reactions in a living organism
-provide energy and create substances that sustain life
-the same through microbes and humans
Enzymes
-biological catalysts
-catalyze reactions for specific molecules called substrates
-accelerate reactions by lowering activation energy
-conjugated proteins: need cofactors to work
-enzymes are specific for reactions: they find their substrate with a lock and key fit
Products
-the result of transforming substrates
Catabolic Pathways
-break down macromolecules into simple components
-release energy in the process
Anabolic Pathways
-build up macromolecules by combining simpler molecules
-use energy in the process
Hydrolytic Reaction
-use water
-chemical bonds are broken
Exergonic Reaction
-produce more energy than they consume
Activation Energy
-amount of energy required to disrupt stable electronic molecules
Catalysts
-substances that speed up a reaction without being permanently altered themselves
Simple Protein Enzyme
-one of the two types of enzymes
-consists entirely of proteins
Conjugated Protein Enzymes
-one of the two types of enzymes
-consist of both a protein portion (Apoenzyme) and nonprotein (cofactor)
Apoenzyme
-inactive by themselves
-protein portion (chapter 2)
Cofactor
-the activator of apoenzyme
-non-protein component
Inorganic Cofactor
-magnesium, iron, calcium ions
Coenzyme (Organic Cofactors)
-derived from vitamin B
-used to carry electrons and proteins to oxidative phosphorylation
-ie. NAD
Holoenzyme
-whole, active enzyme
-can carry out metabolic activity
-apoenzyme + cofactor = holoenzyme