Chemical Reactions and Metabolism

Metabolism= Anabolism + Catabolsim Metabolism is the sum total of the cellular processes occurring in living things Such chemical reactions use enzymes and the molecules involved in these reactions are called metabolites Anabolic reactions •endergonic •produce +∆G (change in free energy) and is used to do work •large molecules are made from these types of reactions •examples: synthesis of carbs of ca

Metabolism= Anabolism + Catabolsim Catabolic reactions •exergonic •produce -∆G (change in free energy) and is released light or heat energy •large molecules are broken down in these types of reactions •examples: digestion of complex food & cell respiration

General information ΔG is the change in free energy. Reactions prefer a lower energy state, thus a negative ΔG change is favored Negative ΔG indicates that the reaction is exergonic and spontaneous Positive ΔG indicates that the reaction is endergonic, or that it requires energy to go from reactants to products. Endergonic & exergonic reactions are usually coupled together, linking energy producing reactions with energy requiring reactions

Graphs: Endergonic vs Exergonic

Metabolism and Enzymes Activation energy is the minimum energy needed raise substrates to a transition state so reactions can occur and new products form Enzymes lower the activation energy by breaking or weakening substrate bonds Enzymes help reduce the activation energy required for metabolic reactions Graph displays activation energy needed

Metabolism and Enzymes: Comparison of Reactions with and without Enzymes Article Summarizing ATP, Energy and Enzymes