Chapter 6 Flashcards
A specific molecule is altered in a series of defined steps, resulting in a product.
Metabolic pathway
The totality of an organism’s chemical reactions.
Metabolism
When complex molecules are broken down into simpler molecules, releasing energy.
Catabolic pathway
When complicated molecules are formed from simpler ones, absorbing energy.
Anabolic pathways
The study of how energy flows through living organisms.
Bioenergetics
The capacity to do work.
Energy
Energy that can be associated with the relative motion of objects.
Kinetic energy
Energy associated with the random movement of atoms or molecules.
Thermal energy
Thermal energy in transfer from one object to another.
Heat
Energy that matter possesses because of its location or structure.
Potential energy
The potential energy available for release in a chemical reaction.
Chemical energy
The study of the energy transformations that occur in a collection of matter.
Thermodynamics
Says that energy can be transferred and transformed, but it cannot be created or destroyed.
First law of thermodynamics
A measure of randomness, or disorder.
Entropy
Says that every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy of the universe.
Second law of thermodynamics
An event that can occur without an input of energy.
Spontaneous process
The portion of a system’s energy that can perform work when temperature and pressure are uniform throughout the system, as in a living cell.
Free energy
The net release of energy.
Exergonic reaction
Absorbs energy from its surroundings.
Endergonic reaction
The use of an exergonic process to drive an endergonic one.
Energy coupling
Contains a ribose sugar, a nitrogenous base adenine, and three phosphate groups. One of the nucleoside triphosphates used to make RNA.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
A molecule with a phosphate group covalently bonded to it, making it more reactive.
Phosphorylated intermediate
A macromolecule that acts as a catalyst.
Enzyme
A chemical agent that speeds up a reaction, without being consumed by the reaction.
Catalyst
