Chapter 8 Vocab Flashcards
Metabolic pathway
A series of chemical reactions hat either builds a complex molecule or breaks down a complex molecule into simpler compounds
Metabolism
The totality of an organisms chemical reactions, consisting of catabolic and anabolic pathways, which manage the material and energy resources of the organism
Anabolic pathway
A metabolic pathway that consumes energy to synthesize a complex molecule from simpler compounds
ATP
An adenine-containing nucleoside triphosphate that releases free energy when it’s phosphate bonds are hydrolyzed. This energy is used to drive ended finis reactions in cells
Activation energy
The amount of energy that reactants must absorb before a chemical reaction will start
Catabolic pathway
A metabolic pathway that releases energy by breaking down complex molecules to simpler compounds
Chemical energy
Energy available in molecules for release in a chemical reaction; a form of potential energy
Catalyst
A chemical AGENT that increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed by the reaction
Competitive inhibitors
A substance that REDUCES THE ACTIVITY OF AN ENZYME by entering the active site in place of the substrate whose structure it mimics
Exergonic reaction
A spontaneous chemical reaction, in which there is a net release of free energy
Endergonic reaction
A non-spontaneous chemical reaction, in which free energy is absorbed from the surroundings
Free energy
The portion of s biological systems energy that can perform work then temperature and pressure are uniform throughout the system
Feedback inhibition
A method of metabolic control in which the end product of a metabolic pathway acts as an inhibitor of an enzyme within that pathway
First law of thermodynamics
The principle of conservation of energy. Energy can be transferred and transformed, but if cannot be created or destroyed
Noncompetitive inhibitors
A substance that reduces the activity of an enzyme by binding to a location remote from the active site, changing the enzymes shake so that the active site no longer functions effectively