Metabolism Flashcards
What is the difference between catabolic and anabolic reactions
Catabolic: All metabolic pathways that consume energy to syntesize complex molecules from simpler molecules. Anabolic: All metabolic pathways that consume energy to syntesize complex molecules from simpler molecules
What is metabolism
The totality of an organism’s chemical reactions, consisting of catabolic and anabolic pathways, which manage the material and energy resources of the organism.
What are the 4 types of energy and what does each term mean
Kinetic energy: Energy associated with the relative motion of objects.
Chemical energy: Energy available in molecules for release in a chemical reaction (= potential energy)
Thermal energy: Kinetic energy due to the random motion of atoms and molecules (=heat)
Potential energy: Energy that matter possesses as a result of its location or spatial arrangement
What are the 2 laws of thermodynamics
The energy of the universe is constant. Energy can be transferred and transformed, but it cannot be created or destroyed -> Principle of conservation of energy.
Every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy (disorder) of the universe. > any chemical reaction is accompanied by the loss of unusable energy… heat
Describe nutritional requirements of plants
Energy source: light
Carbon Source: inorganic compound (CO2)
Describe nutritional requirements of Photohetrotrophs
Energy Source: light
Carbon Source: organic compounds (glucose)
Describe nutritional requirements of Chemoautotrophs
Energy Source: chemical compound
Carbon Source: inorganic compound (CO2)
Describe nutritional requirements of Chemoheterotrophs
Energy Source: chemical compound
Carbon source: organic compounds (glucose)
how much energy is lost from one trophic level to the next
90% is lost.
What is Gibbs Free Energy
amount of energy available to do work in a system when the temperature and pressure are uniform
How to calculate Gibbs free energy?
Delta G = G final state - G initial state
What does exergonic mean
reaction releases energy (G < 0)
what does endergonic mean
reaction requires energy (G > 0)
When a reaction is exergonic, the reaction product has a ______ free energy level
lower
When a reaction is endergonic, the reaction product has a _____ free energy level than the substrate
higher
A spontaneous reaction is ____
exergonic
What is an open system
Living cells are never at equilibrium, they constantly acquire and transfer energy and material
What does ATP stand for
adenosine triphosphate
What is the structure of ATP
1 adenosine (nitrogenous base) + 1 ribose (sugar) + 3 phosphate groups
What is chemical work
enzymes can couple two reactions (endergonic and exogonic) to produce a Gibbs energy,
What is transport work
the hydrolysis of ATP can lead to the change in the shape of protein (activate). ATP can power the movement of molecules against their concentration gradients
What is mechanical work
The hydrolysis of ATP can lead to the change in the shape of a protein. It is preformed by an activated motor protein
How can ATP be regenerated
through the phosphorylation of ADP using substrate level phosphorylation
What is activation energy
the energy required to start a reaction and break the bonds
What do enzymes do to activation energy
lower it
What does an active site contain
specific amino acids that establish hydrogen and ionic bonds with the reactancts before it is transformed into products