Metabolism Intro Flashcards
Thermodynamics
Study of energy flow in physical and biological processes
Metabolism
All chemical reactions that transform or change matter and energy in cells - breaks down energy-rich compounds and converts energy to usable form
Endergonic Reaction
Reaction that requires an input of energy (ex. photosynthesis)
Exergonic Reaction
Reaction that releases energy (ex. cellular respiration)
Coupled Reaction
Catabolic reaction powers an anabolic reaction: catabolic reaction that breaks down complex compounds into simple compounds releases energy, which is used in anabolic reaction to put together simple compounds to create complex compounds that store energy
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)
Primary source of free energy in living cells - made up of adenosine nitrogenous base, 5-C sugar ribose, and chain of 3 phosphate groups
(ATP <–> ADP + Pi)
How to Obtain Energy from ATP
ATPase catalyzes hydrolysis of terminal phosphate which releases ton of energy (phosphate groups are negatively charged, repelling each other, so bonds are already very unstable)
- Inorganic phosphate (Pi) can go on to phosphorylate other molecules and make them more active
Electron Carriers
Compounds that pick up electrons from energy rich compounds and donate to energy low compounds (redox reaction) –> carriers are recycled (ex. NAD+ and NADH)
- Electrons carry energy with them > said to carry reducing power
Mitochondria Structure
Double Membrane (Inner and Outer), Intermembrane Space, Mitochondrial Matrix
Mitochondria: Double Membrane
Inner: folded into finger-like projections called cristae to increase surface area –> houses ETC
Outer: smooth
Mitochondria: Intermembrane Space
Between inner and outer membrane –> location of H+ gradient
Mitochondria: Matrix
Contains mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and ribosomes which make some of mitochondria’s proteins
Substrate-Level Phosphorylation
The synthesis of ATP through the direct transfer of Pi to ADP using an enzyme
Aerobic Cellular Respiration
C6H12O6 + 6 O2 –> 6 H2O + 6 CO2
