Metabolism 2 Flashcards
What is the 1st Law of Thermodynamics?
Energy neither created nor destroyed, only converted from 1 form to another
What is the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics?
In any isolated system, the degree of entropy can only increase.
What is free energy?
Amount of energy within a molecule that could perform useful work at a constant temperature.
Gibbs Free energy=?
Free energy of products - free energy of reactants
When can the reaction occur spontaneously?
If DeltaG is negative.
Even though certain metabolic reactions are energetically unfavourable, they still occur. How?
They are coupled with energetically favourable reactions.
How do enzymes work?
- Substrate molecules bind tightly to enzyme active site.
- Bonds are strained due to arrangement of substrates.
- Bond strain may come from oxidation reactions or reduction reactions.
What is “transition state”?
A particular substrate conformation whereby the atoms of the molecule are arranged both geometrically and electronically so that the reaction can proceed.
