Energy And Metabolism Flashcards
Exergonic/endergonic reactions
Exergonic: releases energy
Endergonic: requires energy
Destructive/constructive metabolism
The process by which complex molecules are broken down into smaller molecules (catabolism), or smaller molecules synthesizing a large one (anabolism)
Enzymes
Biological catalysts that decrease “activation energy” needed for an exergonic reaction to take place
Cofactors/coenzymes
Molecules that help enzymes function
Cofactors: minerals/metal ions that temporarily bind to enzymes; critical
Coenzymes: small organic molecules that are sometimes important
Allosteric enzymes
Can alter 3D shape to activate or inhibit active site, thereby regulating metabolism
Peristalsis
The name given to the alternate contraction and relaxation of two groups of muscles to move food from esophagus to anus
Gastric juice
Contained in stomach and denatures proteins to chop them up
Bicarbonate
Salt in pancreas that neutralizes acidic digested material
Emulsification
Process involved in digestion of lipid in small intestine:
Bile salts act as emulsifying agents for large fat globules, reducing size so lipase can digest them
Glycolysis
The first stage in cellular respiration, a process that occurs in the cells to make ATP
Takes place in cytoplasm, must occur twice for one glucose molecule
Requires 2 ATP to convert 1 glucose into two pyruvates, 4 ATP and 2 NADH
The Bridge of Krebs Cycle
Process of transporting pyruvates from cytosol into mitochondria to make acetyl coenzyme A
1 Co2 is lost but 1 NADH and 1 Coenzyme A are gained (occurs twice for one glucose)
Krebs Cycle
2nd stage of cellular respiration
Transforms acetyl CoA into a 4 carbon molecule with a series of reactions in the inner compartment of mitochondria
Produces (for one glucose):
2 ATP
6 NADH
2 FADH2
Electron transport chain
Third stage of cellular respiration where most energy is harvested in the form of ATP
Involves an array of molecules built into the inner membrane of mitochondrion
Electrons from NADH/FADH2 are given up to enter the proteins along the inner membrane
Energy from this movement is used to pump H+ from matrix to intermembrane space
Last complex/protein adds used electrons to hydrogen and two oxygens to make water
Oxidative phosphorylation
The hydrogen ions from the previous step are sent back to the matrix, and ATP synthase captures their energy as the move down their concentration gradient to produce ATP
The most ATP is produced from this step (34 for one glucose)
Chemiosmosis
Process of coupling movement of electrons across inner mitochondrial membrane with production of ATP
