Unit 4: Bioenergetics, ATP, and Enzymes Flashcards
State the laws of thermodynamics
First: Energy can’t be created or destroyed
Second: Energy transformations always result in an increase in entropy
Describe
Entropy
Chaos
Randomness
Unusable energy
The opposite of free energy
Describe
Free energy
Measure of instability
Usable energy
The opposite of entropy
Explain
ΔG
Changes in free energy that occurs over the course of a chemical reaction
-ΔG = the system (molecules in the reaction) has LOST free energy == exergonic
+ΔG = the system has GAINED free energy == endergonic
What is a positive ΔG?
Increase in free energy in a system
More energy in PRODUCTS than REACTANTS
Endergonic == Energy absorbed into system
What is negative ΔG?
Decrease in free energy in a system
More energy in REACTANTS than PRODUCTS
Exergonic == Energy released into environment
Define / briefly describe
Spontaneous
Exergonic
Reactions that are energetically favorable
NOT THE SAME AS “FAST”!!!
How can endergonic reactions happen?
Endergonic reactions REQUIRE energy from another source
Often “coupled” with exergonic reactions
So long as exergonic reaction RELEASES more energy than endergonic ABSORBS, the pair of reactions will still be possible
What are the types of activities cells do that require energy?
Chemical work: Coupling an exergonic reaction with an endergonic one to allow the endergonic reaction to happen
Transport: Establishing concentration gradients (which increases order / decreases entropy)
Mechanical: Moving cell parts / cytoskeleton
Describe
Energy coupling
Pairing of an exergonic reaction (releases energy!) with an endergonic one (which couldn’t happen without an input of energy from environment)
What is this molecule?
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
What is this part of ATP called?
A phosphate group
Specifically, the third phosphate, which is broken off when ATP -> ADP
What is this part of ATP called?
Phosphate
This is the 2nd phosphate (counting from sugar); still present in ADP
What is this part of ATP called?
Ribose
Reminder: Nucleotides contain a pentose / 5-carbon sugar, which is ribose here
What is this part of ATP called?
Adenine
Reminder: Nucleotides contain a nitrogenous base, which is adenine here
What is this part of ATP called?
Adenosine
(Ribose + Adenine)
How is ATP “used”?
ATP → ADP + Pi
The last phosphate breaks off, leaving ADP behind.
ADP and Pi contain WAY less free energy (are more stable / less reactive)
This energy is released, which can be used to do cell work
How is ATP made?
General - *not specifically asking what mechanisms are used to make ATP!
ADP + Pi → ATP
Energy must be supplied to build ATP, which has more free energy than ADP and phosphate do separately
What processes can provide the energy necessary for regenerating ATP?
Cellular respiration and photosynthesis
Define
Reaction Rate
The speed at which reactants are converted to products