Chapter 4

Cellular Metabolism
Cellular metabolism- collective total of
chemical processes that occur within living
cells.

Energy- the capacity to do work.

Types of Energy (E)

-kinetic- E in motion
-potential- stored E, not doing work.
1st law of Thermodynamics- States that E
cannot be created or destroyed; it can
only be transformed from one form to
another.

2nd Law- states that a closed system

moves toward increasing disorder or
entropy, as E is dissipated from the
system.
To describe energy changes that take place
in chemical reactions, biochemists use the
concept of free energy.
Free energy- E in a system available for
doing work.
Exergonic- Release of free energy to
complete a reaction (downhill); work.
Endergonic- Require the addition of free E
(pushed uphill).
Exergonic- Release of free energy to
complete a reaction (downhill); work.

-Catabolic reaction (catabolism)- the process of

which complex molecules are broken down to
simpler ones (destructive metabolism).

Ex. Cells breaking down sugars into carbon dioxide

and water.
Endergonic- Require the addition of free
E (pushed uphill).

Anabolic reaction (anabolism)- constructive

metabolism.
-the building of complex molecules from simpler
ones (biosynthetic reaction).

Ex. Proteins from amino acids, nucleic acids form

nucleotides, polysaccharides from simple sugars.
 ATP- adenosine triphosphate
-central importance in metabolic processes
-the most common intermediate in coupled
reactions that drive energetically unfavorable
reactions.

Catabolism- E is transferred to and trapped in ATP

(rest of E is given off as heat).
Anabolism- ATP provides the energy for synthesis
(some E is given off as heat).
Role of Enzymes

What are Enzymes?

Enzymes- are functional proteins

-biological catalysts
-are very specific
-vary in size
-Affected by temperature and pH
Activation (E)- minimum amount of energy
required for a reaction.

Catalyst- lowers activation E and increases

rate of reaction.
Action of Enzymes
Substrate- molecule whose reaction is catalyze by an
enzyme.

Active site- Area located on an enzyme to where the

substrate binds.
ES- complex
-is not strong
-will quickly dissociate
-provides a unique chemical environment that stresses
certain chemical bonds in the substrate so less energy
is required to complete a reaction.
Specificity of Enzyme
Enzymes have a level of specificity.

Specificity- a consequence of the exact molecular fit

that is required between enzyme and substrate.
-some have variation in the degree of specificity

Ex. Succinic dehydrogenase (only catalyzes the

oxidation of succinic acid)
Nature of Enzymes

Cofactors- small nonprotein groups that help perform

enzymatic function.

Examples-
Metallic ions- iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, potassium
and calcium.

Coenzymes-organic; contain groups derived vitamins.

Examples- niacin, NAD (nicotinamide adenine

dinucleotide), riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Enzyme- Catalyzed Reactions (EC)
-EC reactions can be reversible or one-way

-Catabolic reaction (catabolism)- the process of

which complex molecules are broken down to
simpler ones (destructive metabolism).
-Ex. Proteolytic enzyme

-Anabolic reaction (anabolism)- constructive

metabolism.
Cellular Respiration

ATP- one common energy denominator for most cells

Oxidation-Reduction
-All cells obtain their chemical energy requirements
from oxidation-reduction reactions.
Aerobic-Reduction- the use of oxygen as a final
electron acceptor.

Anaerobic reaction- molecule other than oxygen is

used as a final electron acceptor.

Glycolysis- enzymatic breakdown of glucose into

phosphate derivatives with the release of energy.