Metabolism Flashcards
How does ATP power reactions? (Those that wouldn’t take place otherwise)
ATP hydrolysis can be coupled with non-spontaneous reactions to make them occur by transferring a phosphate group to a reactant. (phosphorylation)
What is Hess’s law?
States that the total enthalpy change of a reaction is the sum of the enthalpy changes of the individual steps.
Define Anabolism and Catabolism.
Anabolism: The building up of complex molecules from simpler ones (Usually require energy)
Catabolism: The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones (Releasing energy)
How does Hess’s law relate to ATP reactions?
The negative ∆G from ATP hydrolysis can be added to the positive ∆G of a non-spontaneous reaction, making the overall process spontaneous (net negative ∆G).
What are active carriers? What are some examples?
Active carriers are molecules that transport energy in the form of electrons or phosphate groups. (Ex. NAD+, ATP, FAD)
How does the oxidation state of a carbon affect its usefulness as an energy source?
The more reduced a carbon molecule (more C-H bonds), the more useful it is as fuel because its oxidation releases energy.
What is the quick way to recognize what is oxidized and what is reduced in a reaction?
Oxidation: gain C-O or lose C-H bond
Reduction: lose C-O or gain C-H bond
What is Phosphoryl Transfer Potential?
It is the tendency of a molecule to transfer its phosphate group to another molecule. (ATP has a high phosphoryl transfer potential, meaning it readily donates its phosphate group to other molecules.)
