Chapter 8: An Introduction to Metabolism Flashcards
What is metabolism?
the totality of an organisms chemical reactions
What are the two different types of pathways for metabolic processes?
catabolic and anabolic pathways
What are metabolic pathways?
begins with a specific molecule which is then altered into a certain product through a series of defined steps
What is each step of a metabolic pathway catalyzed by?
A specific enzyme
What is a catabolic pathway?
break down pathways
What is a anabolic pathway?
biosynthetic pathways
The process of turning complex molecules into simple compounds is known as what?
catabolic pathways
What is the opposite of a catabolic pathway?
Anabolic pathway
What are bioenergetics?
the study of how energy flows through living organisms
What is energy defined as?
the capacity to cause change
What is kinetic energy?
the energy associated with relative motion of objects
What is thermal energy?
kinetic energy associated with the random movement of atoms/molecuels
What is heat defined as?
thermal energy IN TRANSFERfrom one object to another
What is potential energy?
Energy that is not kinetic. Is due to its specific location/structure
What is chemical energy?
the potential energy available for release in a chemical reaction
Glucose is high in ______ energy
chemical
what are thermodynamics?
the study of energy transformations that occur in a collection of matter
How are collection of matter denoted?
systems and their surrounding
What is an isolated system
unable to exchange either energy or matter with its surroundings
What is an open system?
Can exchange energy/matter w/ surroundings
Are organisms open or closed systems?
open
What is the first law of thermodynamics?
conservation of energy
What is the second law of thermodynamics?
Every energy transfer/transformation increases the disorder (entropy) of the universe
What is entropy?
a measure of molecular disorder/randomness
What is spontaneous process?
A process that is energetically favorable?
Living systems ______ the entropy of their surroundings
increase
(Cells/Organisms) create ordered structures from less organized molecules
Cells
Depletion of chemical energy will lead to what?
Will increase heat
What is free energy?
the portion of a systems energy that can perform work
What is critical for free energy?
temperature and pressure must be uniform through out
What is the equation for free energy (G)?
change in G= change in H (enthalpy) - T(change in entropy)
Enthalpy in biological systems is equivalent to what?
total energy
Every spontaneous process ______ the systems free energy
decreases
What is an exergonic reaction?
(Energy outward) A net release of free energy.
What is an endergonic reaction?
a reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings
What kind of reaction stores free energy in molecules?
endergonic reactions