Introduction to Metabolism Flashcards
What is metabolism?
- Anabolic and catabolic reactions
- Totality of an organism’s chemical reactions
Catabolism
Breakdown of molecules
Anabolism
Build-up of molecules
Kinetic energy
Energy of motion
Thermal energy
Kinetic energy associated with the random movement of atoms or molecules
Heat
Transfer of thermal energy
Potential Energy
- Stored energy
- Energy available to do work
Chemical Energy
- Potential energy available for release in a chemical reaction
1st Law of thermodynamics
Energy cannot be created nor destroyed but can be transformed from one form to another
2nd Law of thermodynamics
Every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy of the universe
Formulas to calculate changes in free energy
ΔG=ΔH-TΔS
ΔG=Gfinal-Ginital
What does the G variable stand for?
Gibbs free energy
What does the H variable stand for?
enthalpy
What does the T variable stand for?
total temperature
What does the S variable stand for?
Entropy
Activation energy
- Energy required to start a chemical reaction
- Determines rate of reaction
Transition State
- Molecules in an unstable condition
What does a higher activation energy indicate?
A slower reaction
Catalysts
- Molecules that speed up a chemical reaction
- Not consumed in the reaction
- Decreases activation energy without impacting ΔG
What 3 kinds of work do cells do?
- Chemical
- Transport
- Mechanical
Energy coupling
- The coupling of an exergonic process to an endergonic process
- Passed through an intermediate (usually ATP)
