Metabolism and thermodynamics

Question 1

what is metabolism

Answer 1

Metabolism – the sum of chemical reactions taking place within the cell

Question 2

what are metabolites

Answer 2

small molecule intermediates found in the degradation and synthesis of macromolecules

Question 3

What is bioenergetics?

Answer 3

Bioenergetics is the application of the laws of thermodynamics to biological systems; it is the study of how cells transform and use energy

Question 4

what is the system and the surroundings?

Answer 4

• System – any part of the Universe we choose to study (e.g., a single cell, a test tube, a steam engine, a planet, etc.).

-Surroundings – anything in contact with the system that can affect the system’s state (e.g., its temperature, pressure, volume ,numbers of atoms / molecules in the system, etc.).

Question 5

what is the isolated, closed and open systems?

Answer 5

-Isolated system: unable to exchange energy or matter with itssurroundings. Not of much interest

-Closed system: able to exchange energy but not matter with its surroundings (e.g., a stoppered flask).

-Open system: able to exchange matter and energy with itssurroundings (e.g., an unstoppered flask, an organism, etc.).

Question 6

what is the definition of heat?

Answer 6

Heat is the transfer of energy between two bodies that are at different temperatures.

Question 7

What is the definition of work?

Answer 7

Work is the transfer of energy that can cause motion against anopposing force (e.g., movement of ions against a concentrationgradient, climbing the stairs to the 7th floor lab., etc.)

Question 8

what are the other parts of metabolism and is their role?

Answer 8

metabolism includes anabolism and catabolism
1.Anabolism refers to the build up of molecules small to large molecules uses energy so it is endergonic

2.Catabolism - refer off breaking down molecules larch to small molecules (releases energy so it is exergonic)

Question 9

Examples of catabolism

Answer 9

1.Cellular respiration
2.Glycolysis (large to small pyruvate)
3.Converting nucleic acids into nucleotides

Question 10

Examples of anabolism

Answer 10

1.Photosynthesis
2.Converting amino acids into proteins

Question 11

How laws of thermodynamics are there and what are there definitions?

Answer 11

1. 4 laws
2. First law - energy is not created or destroyed
3. 2nd law- the entropy of the universe is always increasing

Question 12

What makes the reaction spontaneous and non nonspontaneous

Answer 12

1. spontaneous - if the delta g is negative
2. non nonspontaneous - if the delta g is positive