CH 6 Notes: Enzymes, energy and metabolism

 Kinetic and potential energy

 Spontaneous reactions- occurs without the input of additional energy. Can be

slow and don’t always have to be fast.

 Exergonic has a – G (energy is released). Endergonic has a + G (requires

energy).

 Activation energy- initial input of energy required to start reactions.

 An enzyme has no effect on the change of free energy in a reaction(G).

 Enzyme function- straining bonds in reactants(easier to achieve transition

state), positioning reactants together to facilitate bonding, and changes the

local environment.

 Substrate binding: enzymes have a high specificity for their substrate,

referred to as a lock and key mechanism, have an induced fit phenomenon

(interaction also involves conformational changes).

 Competitive inhibition- molecule binds to active site and inhibits the ability

of the substrate to bind there.

 Noncompetitive inhibition- inhibitor binds to allosteric site, not active site.

 Prosthetic groups- small molecules permanently attached to the enzyme

 Cofactor- usually inorganic ion that temporarily binds to enzyme

 Coenzyme- organic molecule that participates in reaction but is left

unchanged afterward.

 Metabolism- Chemical reactions occur in metabolic pathways, a specific

enzyme coordinates each step.

 Catabolic pathways- breakdown cellular components and are exergonic

 Anabolic pathways- synthesize cellular components, endergonic, must be

coupled to exergonic reaction.