Gibbs FE Formula
delt G = delt H - t delt S
cell metabolism
the sum of all chemical reactions in a cell
(metabolism= catabolism + anabolism + energy transfer)
Catabolism:
the breakdown of complex molecules into
simpler molecules. Releases energy which can drive
anabolic pathways
Anabolism:
the synthesis of complex molecules from
simpler ones, using energy
3 Laws of thermodynamics:
Substrate:
the molecule that an enzyme acts on
Active site:
the location on the enzyme where the
substrate binds. The shape of the active site
determines the enzyme’s substrate specificity (i.e. what
molecules it can interact with)
Cofactors:
nonprotein structures that assist enzymes in
their function. Can bind permanently or reversibly.
Ribozymes:
RNA molecules with enzymatic function
Vmax:
maximum rate of a reaction
Vmax increases as
the amount of substrate increases.
- Limited by enzyme saturation (increasing enzyme
concentration also increases Vmax)
1/2 vmax
half of the max rate
Km (Michaelis Constant):
the concentration of substrate
at 1⁄2 Vmax. Inversely proportional to substrate binding
affinity (how well the enzyme binds to a substrate)
Small Km:
high binding affinity; less substrate
needed to saturate the enzyme
Large Km:
low binding affinity; more substrate
needed to saturate the enzyme
Competitive Inhibition:
inhibitor reversibly binds to
the active site. Can be overcome by increasing
substrate concentration.
Non-Competitive Inhibition:
the inhibitor binds to the
enzyme at a location other than the active site. Cannot
be overcome by increasing substrate concentration.
- Vmax decreases, Km is unaffected
Allosteric Inhibition:
inhibitor binds to the allosterc site
of enzyme and induces the enzyme’s inactive form.
Allosteric inhibition is a form of non-competitive
inhibition.
Cellular Respiration:
combination of aerobic and anaerobic 1
catabolic pathways that cells use to breakdown organic
compounds (e.g. glucose) into ATP
Aerobic Cellular Respiration of glucose: consists of 3 steps
Mitochondria
critical to cellular respiration in eukaryotic
cells as they are the site of aerobic cellular respiration to
synthesize ATP.
Overall Reaction of Cellular Respiration:
C6H12O6 (glucose) + O2 ➞ 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
Glycolysis
Glucose + 2 NAD+ + 2 ADP ➞ 2 Pyruvate + 2 ATP + 2
NADH + 2 H2O
Pyruvate decarboxylation:
if oxygen is present, pyruvate is
converted into acetyl CoA in the mitochondrial matrix