Chapter 6: An Introduction to Metabolism Flashcards
What is metabolism?
the sum of all chemical reactions in an organism
What is a metabolic pathway?
A process that begins with a starting molecule which is then altered in a series of defined steps, resulting in a certain product
What two processes are included in the overall metabolic process?
Catabolic and Anabolic pathways?
What is catabolic?
A pathway that releases NRG together when complex molecules are broken down
What is an anabolic pathway?
A pathway which requires NRG to put together complex molecules
What is bioenergetics?
the study of how energy flows through living systems and is essential to look at in order to understand metabolic processes of the cell
What is energy?
the capacity to cause change.
What is chemical energy?
the potential energy available for release in a chemical reaction
What is thermodynamics?
The study of the energy transformations that occur in a collection of matter
What happens in an open system?
Energy and matter can be transferred between the system and its enviroment. Organisms are open systems, they absorb energy and release heat.
What is the first law of thermodynamics?
Energy can be transferred and transformed, but it can not be created or destroyed.
What is the second law of thermodynamics?
Every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy of the universe
What does the quantity of entropy measure?
disorder or randomness
What is unusable heat associated with?
increased entropy
What is a spontaneous reaction?
a reaction that can proceed without requiring the input of energy, it is energetically favorable, and increases entropy of the universe
T/F: A spontaneous reaction requires the input of energy?
True, but just the activation energy
What is a nonspontaneous reaction?
a reaction that will happen only if energy is supplied and leads to a decrease in entropy
What is free energy?
the proportion of a system’s NRG that can perform work when temperature and pressure are uniform throughout the system
What is an exergonic reaction?
a spontaneous reaction that proceeds with the release of free energy
What is the common misconseption with the statement that breaking bonds releases energy?
breaking bonds DOES NOT release energy, it REQUIRES energy. The release of energy in a chemical reaction occurs when bonds are broken and new bonds are formed and the products have less free energy than the reactants had.
What is an endergonic reaction?
other, nonspontaneous reactions that can be made to proceed only with the addition of free energy
What is metabolic equilibrium equal to?
death
How is disequilibrium maintained?
because the products of one reaction do not build up, but are used in another reaction or expelled as waste from the cell
What are the three main types of work?
chemical work, transport work, and mechanical work
What powers cellular work, and how?
ATP, by coupling exergonic reactions to endergonic reactions
WHat is chemical work?
the pushing of endergonic reaction
What is transport work?
the pumping of substances across membranes