Energy and Metabolism

Chapter 6
 Where Do We Get Energy From?

sun

energy stored in C-H

bonds of glucose

energy released from

C-H bonds

energy used indirectly

to make ATP

ATP used for cellular functions

(ex: muscle contracting)
What Supplies “Energy” for ATP
 Endergonic vs. Exergonic Reactions

• Endergonic reactions require

input of energy to proceed
(e.g., photosynthesis)

• Exergonic reactions
release energy (e.g., cellular
respiration)
 Role of Enzymes in Chemical Reactions

• Enzymes lower the activation energy (Ea) –

minimum energy required to start a chemical
reaction
 How Do Enzymes Work?

= region of enzyme where substrate binds

Sucrase
Sucrose + H2O Glucose + Fructose
 Some Catalysts are RNAs
• Ribozymes – RNA molecules that catalyze
chemical reactions

Large subunit

Small subunit

Ribosome
 Factors that Control Enzymes

• Temperature

- most human enzymes have optimal temperature

between 35ºC and 40ºC

- bacteria that live in hot springs have enzymes

that operate at 70ºC or higher
 Factors that Control Enzymes

• pH

- most human enzymes work best at pH 7

- pepsin in the stomach works best at pH 2

- trypsin in the small intestine works best at pH 8

 Factors that Control Enzymes
• Inhibitors
 Factors that Control Enzymes
• Activators
- cofactors:

• inorganic metal ions

(Fe2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+)

• organic nonprotein
molecules (coenzymes):

- vitamins (B6 and

B12)
- modified nucleotides (NAD+, NADP+, and FAD)
 What is Metabolism?
• A total of all chemical reactions carried out in
an organism

energy in energy out

anabolic reactions + catabolic reactions

metabolism
Biochemical Pathway

• Includes multiple chemical

reactions that occur at the
same area and the product
of one enzyme serves as
the substrate for another
enzyme
Positive vs. Negative Feedback

• Positive feedback is
a process in which final
(end) product increases
its own production
(e.g., release of
oxytocin during
childbirth)
Positive vs. Negative Feedback

• Negative feedback is
a process in which final
(end) product inhibits
its own production
(e.g., high concentration

of ATP inhibits the

production of more ATP
Many Biochemical Pathways Need ATP to
Work
How Does ATP “Work”?