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Chapter 8
An Introduction to Metabolism
35
Biology
Undergraduate 1
10/23/2012

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Term
metabolism
Definition
The totality of an organism's chemical reactions, consisting of catabolic and anabolic pathways, which manage the material and energy resources of the organism.
Term
metabolic pathway
Definition
A series of chemical reactions that either builds a complex molecule (anabolic pathway) or breaks down a complex molecule to simpler molecules (catabolic pathway).
Term
catabolic pathway
Definition
A metabolic pathway that releases energy by breaking down complex molecules to simpler molecules.
Term
anabolic pathway
Definition
A metabolic pathway that consumes energy to synthesize a complex molecule from simpler molecules.
Term
bioenergetics
Definition
(1) The overall flow and transformation of energy in an organism. (2) The study of how energy flows through organisms.
Term
energy
Definition
The capacity to cause change, especially to do work (to move matter against an opposing force).
Term
kinetic energy
Definition
The energy associated with the relative motion of objects. Moving matter can perform work by imparting motion to other matter.
Term
heat
Definition
The total amount of kinetic energy due to the random motion of atoms or molecules in a body of matter; also called thermal energy. It is energy in its most random form.
Term
potential energy
Definition
The energy that matter possesses as a result of its location or spatial arrangement (structure).
Term
chemical energy
Definition
Energy available in molecules for release in a chemical reaction; a form of potential energy.
Term
thermodynamics
Definition
The study of energy transformations that occur in a collection of matter.
Term
first law of thermodynamics
Definition
The principle of conservation of energy: Energy can be transferred and transformed, but it cannot be created or destroyed.
Term
entropy
Definition
A measure of disorder, or randomness.
Term
second law of thermodynamics
Definition
The principle stating that every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy of the universe. Usable forms of energy are at least partly converted to heat.
Term
spontaneous process
Definition
A process that occurs without an overall input of energy; a process that is energetically favorable.
Term
free energy
Definition
The portion of a biological system's energy that can perform work when temperature and pressure are uniform throughout the system. The change in free energy of a system (ΔG) is calculated by the equation ΔG=ΔH-TΔS, where ΔH is the change in enthalpy (in biological systems, equivalent to total energy), T is the absolute temperature, and ΔS is the change in entropy.
Term
exergonic reaction
Definition
A spontaneous chemical reaction, in which there is a net release of free energy.
Term
endergonic reaction
Definition
A nonspontaneous chemical reaction, in which free energy is absorbed from the surroundings.
Term
energy coupling
Definition
In cellular metabolism, the use of energy released from an exergonic reaction to drive an endergonic reaction.
Term
ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
Definition
An adenine-containing nucleoside triphosphate that releases free energy when its phosphate bonds are hydrolyzed. This energy is used to drive endergonic reactions in cells.
Term
phosphorylated intermediate
Definition
A molecule (often a reactant) with a phosphate group covalently bound to it, making it more reactive (less stable) than the unphosphorylated molecule.
Term
enzyme
Definition
A macromolecule serving as a catalyst, a chemical agent that increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed by the reaction. Most enzymes are proteins.
Term
catalyst
Definition
Term
activation energy
Definition
Term
substrate
Definition
Term
enzyme-substrate complex
Definition
Term
active site
Definition
Term
induced fit
Definition
Term
cofactor
Definition
Term
coenzyme
Definition
Term
competitive inhibitor
Definition
Term
noncompetitive inhibitor
Definition
Term
allosteric regulation
Definition
Term
cooperativity
Definition
Term
feedback inhibition
Definition
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