Metabolism
the totality of an organisms's chemical reactions
-emergent property of life that arises from interactions between molecules within the cell
Metabolic pathway
Begins with a specific molecule + ends with a product
-Each step= catalyzed by a specific enzyme
Bioenergetics
Study of how organisms manage their energy resources
Anabolic pathways
Consume energy to build complex molecules from simpler ones
-ex. synthesis of protein from amino acids= anabolism
Catabolic pathways
Release energy by breaking down complex molecules into simpler compounds
ex. cellular respiration= catabolism
Energy
Capacity to cause change
-can be converted from one form to another
-exists in various forms, some of which can perform work
Kinetic energy
energy associated with motion
Heat (thermal energy)
kinetic energy asssociated with random movement of atoms/molecules
Potential energy
energy that matter possessed because of its location or structure
Chemical energy
Potential energy available for release in a chemical reaction
Thermodynamics
Study of energy transformations
-isolated system= isolated by surroundings
open system=energy + matter can be transferred between system and surroundings
-organisms= open systems
First law of Thermodynamics
Energy of the universe = constant
-cannot be created or destroyed, just transferred
Second law of thermodynamics
Every energy transfer increases the entropy(disorder) of the universe
Living system's free energy
Energy that can do work when temp+ pressure are uniform, as in a living cell