Metabolism Flashcards
Metabolic pathway begins?
With and specific molecule and ends with a product
Catabolic pathways
Release energy by breaking down complex molecules into simpler compounds
Example cellular respiration breaks down glucose in the presence of oxygen
Anabolic pathways
Consumes energy to build complex molecules from simpler ones
Example synthesis of protein from amino acids
Bioenergetics
Is the study of how organisms manage their energy resources
Energy
Is the capacity to cause change. Energy exist in various forms some of which can perform work
What is metabolism?
Is the totality of an organism’s chemical reactions
Is an emergent property of life That arises from interactions between molecules within the cell
Kinetic energy ?
Energy associated with motion
Heat
Thermal energy, is kinetic energy associated with random movement of atoms or molecules
Potential energy
Is energy That matter possesses because of its location or structure
Chemical energy
Potential energy available for release in a chemical reaction
Thermodynamics
Is the study of energy transformations
First law of thermodynamics or principle of conservation of energy
Energy can be transferred and transformed but it cannot be created or destroyed
Second law of thermodynamics
Every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy (disorder) of universe
(Some energy is unusable and is often lost as heat)
Spontaneous processes
Occur without energy input, they can happen quickly or slowly. For a process to occur without energy input it must increase the entropy of the universe
Equilibrium
Is a state of maximum stability. A process is spontaneous and can perform work only when it is moving toward equilibrium
