Chapter 8 Test Flashcards
Metabolism
The totality of an organism’s chemical reactions
Metabolic Pathway
Begins with specific molecule, which is then altered, resulting in a certain product
Catabolic pathway
Breakdown pathway
Anabolic pathway
Consumed energy to build complicated molecules from simpler ones
Energy
Capacity to cause change
Kinetic energy
Energy associated with relative motion of objects
Thermal energy
Kinetic energy associated with the random movement of atoms or molecules
Heat
Thermal energy in transfer from one object to another
Potential energy
Energy that is not kinetic; energy that matter processes because of its location or structure
Chemical energy
Potential energy available for release in a chemical reaction
1st law of thermodynamics
Energy of the universe is constant. Energy can be transferred and transformed, but it cannot be created or destroyed
Entropy
Measure of disorder, or randomness
The more randomly arranged a collection of matter is, the greater its entropy
2nd law of thermodynamics
Every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy of the universe
Free energy
Portion of a system’s energy that can perform work when temperature and pressure are uniform throughout the system
🔺G = 🔺H - T🔺S
Exergonic reaction
Proceeds with a net release of free energy
- 🔺G is negative
- occurs spontaneously
Endergonic reaction
Absorbs free energy from its surroundings
- 🔺G is positive (stores free energy)
- non spontaneous
Enzyme
Macromolecule that acts as a catalyst
Catalyst
Chemical agent that speeds up a reaction without being consumed by the reaction
Activation energy
Free energy of activation
The initial investment of energy required to contort the reactant molecules so the bonds can break
Substrate
The reactant an enzyme acts on
Active site
A restricted region of the enzyme molecule that actually binds to the substrate
Induced fit
Binding between the enzyme and substrate become tighter after initial contact
-brings chemical groups of the active site into positions that enhance their ability to catalyze the chemical reaction
Cofactor
Nonprotein helpers for catalytic activity
Coenzyme
An organic molecule cofactor