Unit 3 Flashcards
Anabolic
A metabolic pathway that consumes energy to synthesize a complex molecule from simpler molecules
Catabolic
A metabolic pathway that releases energy by breaking down complex molecules to simpler molecules
Exergonic Reactions
A spontaneous chemical reaction in which there is a net release of free energy
Endergonic Reactions
A non spontaneous chemical reaction, in which free energy is absorbed from the surroundings
Equilibrium & Metabolism
All about maintaining a status quo. Metabolism as a whole is never at equilibrium, it’s one of the defining features of life
Energy Coupling
In cellular metabolism, the use of energy released from an exergonic reaction to drive an endergonic reaction
ATP
An adenine containing nucleoside triphosphate that releases free energy when phosphate bonds are hydrolyzed
Phosphorylated Intermediate
A molecule with a phosphate group covalently bond to it, making it more reactive (less stable) than the un-phosphorylated molecule
Enzyme
A biological catalyst that speeds up the rate of chemical reactions (almost always a protein
Catalyst
Any substance that speeds up the rate of reaction (enzyme)
Activation energy
The minimum quantity of energy for a reaction
Substrate
The substance on which an enzyme acts
Cofactor
Any protein or molecule that is required for the proper function of an enzyme
Coenzyme
An organic molecule serving as a cofactor. Most vitamins function as coenzymes
Competitive Inhibiton
A substance that reduces the activity of an enzyme by entering the active site in place of the substrate
Non competitive Inhibition
A substance that reduces the activity of an enzyme by binding to a location remote from the active site, changing the shape
Allosteric Regulation
The binding of a regulatory molecule to a protein at one site that affects the function of the protein at different site
Feedback Inhibiton (Negative Feedback Loop)
A method of metabolic control in which the end product of a metabolic pathway acts as an inhibitor
