Energy and Metabolism Flashcards
Metabolism
The totality of an organism’s chemical reactions
Bioenergetics
Study of how organisms manage energy resources
Catabolism
Breakdown of complex molecules into simpler compounds
Releases energy
Anabolism
Build complicated molecules from simpler ones
Consume energy
Energy
The capacity to cause change
Potential energy
Stored in matter
Includes chemical energy stored in molecular structures
Kinetic energy
Energy associated with motion
Using it decreases potential energy
1st law of thermodynamics
Energy can be transferred or transformed, but cannot be created or destroyed
2nd law of thermodynamics
Spontaneous changes that don’t require outside energy increase the entropy of the universe
Free energy
Living systems: energy that can do work under cellular conditions
Cell’s work
Mechanical
Transportation
Chemical
ATP
Adenosine triphosphate
Cell’s energy shuttle
3 phosphate groups (potential energy stores), ribose, adenine
7.3 kcal/mol energy released in hydrolysis per molecule
Enzyme
Catalyst: speeds up a reaction without being consumed by the reaction
Cofactors
Non-protein molecules or ions that act as enzyme helpers
Can be bound to active site or bind loosely to substrate
Coenzymes
Organic molecules serving as cofactors (ex- vitamins)
