Unit 3: Cellular Energetics Flashcards
metabolism
sum of all of an organism’s chemical reactions
catabolic reactions
chemical reactions that release energy by breaking down molecules
anabolic reactions
chemical reactions that consume energy by building larger molecules
spontaneous process
process that occurs on its own in an organism
free energy
energy of a system that is easily availiable work; denoted by G
endergonic reactions
nonspontaneous reactions that are not energetically favorable; consume energy; positive change in G
exergonic reactions
spontaneous reactions that are favorable; release energy; negative change in G
What are the three kinds of work that a cell does?
Chemical work
Transport work
Mechanical work
ATP
adenosine triphosphate; “energy currency” in the cell. When one of the phosphates is broken off, releases energy that can be used for work
What is ATP made of?
Adenine nucleotide
Ribose sugar
3 Phosphate groups
energy coupling
using energy from a exergonic reaction to power an energy-requiring endergonic reaction
phosphorylated intermediate
a molecule that has a phosphate attached to it from ATP and is unstable
catalyst
speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed by the reaction
activation energy
the energy needed to weaken molecules enough so that their bonds can break
enzyme
protein that speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy
substrate
reactants that enzyme will act on
active site
parts where the substrate binds
products
final substances formed from the substrates
induced fit
the idea that the enzyme active site will change its shape so that it fits the substrate
What mechanisms does an enzyme use to lower activation energy?
Stressing and bending the chemical bonds
Provides an optimal environment for chemical reactions to take place
The active site directly binds to substrates and binds the substrates together
What factors affect enzyme function?
The initial concentration of substrate
pH
Temperature
cofactor
nonorganic substance that help enzymes function
coenzymes
organic substances that help enzymes function
competitive inhibitors
mimic substrate and fight for active site to inhibit enzyme
noncompetitive inhibitors
bind to another place on enzyme other than the active site to inhibit enzyme
allosteric regulation
enzyme’s function is inhibited via the binding of a regulatory molecule to a separate site other than the active site
allosteric activator
increases activity of enzyme
allosteric inhibitor
decrease the activity of an enzyme