Unimelb Topic 2 Glossary Flashcards
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Activation energy
The energy barrier that blocks the tendency for a chemical reaction to occur.
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Active site
a region on an enzyme that binds to a specific protein or other substance (substrate) during a reaction.
*error in the LMS definition – repeated definition of activation energy
derived from google definitions & improvised
concept 7.1
Anabolic reaction
A synthetic reaction in which simple molecules are linked to form more complex ones; requires an input of energy and captures it in the chemical bonds that are formed.
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ATP
Adenosine triphosphate, a molecule that provides energy within the cell.
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Catabolic
A synthetic reaction in which complex molecules are broken down into simpler ones and energy is released.
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Cellular respiration
The catabolic pathways by which electrons are removed from various molecules and passed through intermediate electron carriers to O2, generating H2O and releasing energy.
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Chemical energy
Energy not doing work but with the potential to do so, such as the energy stored in chemical bonds.
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Endergonic energy
Referring to a chemical reaction in which the products have higher free energy than the reactants, thereby requiring free energy input to occur.
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Enzyme
A catalytic protein that speeds up a biochemical reaction.
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Exergonic reaction
Referring to a chemical reaction in which the products of the reaction have lower free energy than the reactants, resulting in a release of free energy.
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Hydrolysis
A chemical reaction that breaks a bond by inserting the components of water (AB + H2O → AH + BOH).
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Induced fit
A change in the shape of an enzyme caused by binding to its substrate that exposes the active site of the enzyme.
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Kinetic energy
The energy associated with movement.
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Oxidation
The relative loss of electrons in a chemical reaction; either outright removal to form an ion, or the sharing of electrons with substances having a greater affinity for them, such as oxygen. Most oxidations, including biological ones, are associated with the liberation of energy.
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Reduction
The gain of electrons by a chemical reactant.
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Substrate
The molecule(s) on which an enzyme exerts catalytic action.
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Transition state
In an enzyme-catalyzed reaction, the reactive condition of the substrate after there has been sufficient input of energy (activation energy) to initiate the reaction.
