An Introduction to Metabolism

Metabolism
Identify the first two laws of thermodynamics and explain how they relate to biological systems.
Explain what is meant by change in free energy and relate it to the following: spontaneous
reactions, capacity to do work, stability, and exergonic and endergonic reactions.

This chapter on energy transfer and enzyme function is fundamental to your understanding of
numerous topics discussed later in the course. Your careful study of this chapter will help you
understand biological pathways and the regulation of cellular processes.

Concept An organism’s metabolism transforms matter and energy

LO: Identify the first two laws of thermodynamics and explain how they relate to
biological systems.

The totality of an organism’s chemical reactions is called metabolism. As a whole, metabolism

manages the material and energy resources of the cell in intersecting pathways.

1. There are two types of reactions in metabolic pathways: anabolic and catabolic.
Catabolic reactions
a. Which reactions release energy?
Anabolic reactions
b. Which reactions consume energy?
Anabolic reactions
c. Which reactions build up larger molecules?
Catabolic reactions d. Which reactions break down molecules?
Anabolic reactions
e. Which reactions are considered “uphill”?
Anabolic
f. Which type of reaction is photosynthesis?
Catabolic
g. Which type of reaction is cellular respiration?
_____
Both anabolic and catabolic reactions
h. In living systems which reactions require enzymes
to catalyze them?

2. Energy is the capacity to cause change, do work, or move matter against opposing forces.
It exists in various forms. Contrast kinetic energy with potential energy.

Kinetic energy is energy of motion; potential energy is stored energy due to position or structure.
 An Introduction to Metabolism

3. According to the first law of thermodynamics, what can and cannot happen to energy?

Energy can be transformed and transferred, but it cannot be created or destroyed.

4. The second law of thermodynamics states that every energy transfer or transformation
increases the entropy (molecular disorder) of the universe. Some call this the “you
always lose rule”. What always happens in each energy transfer that makes this an apt
expression?
Some energy is lost as heat, increasing entropy (disorder) in the universe.

5. What is meant by a spontaneous process?

A process that occurs without needing added energy and often increases entropy.

Concept The free-energy change of a reaction tells us whether or not the reaction occurs
spontaneously

LO: Explain what is meant by change in free energy and relate it to the following:
spontaneous reactions, capacity to do work, stability, and exergonic and endergonic
reactions.

6. What is free energy? What is its symbol? Free energy (ΔG) is the energy available to do work in a system.

Concept ATP powers cellular work by coupling exergonic reactions to endergonic

reactions

LO: Use examples to illustrate the coupling of ATP hydrolysis to endergonic reactions.

7.Here is a molecule of ATP. Label it. Use an arrow to show which bond is likely to break.
 An Introduction to Metabolism

a. By what process will that bond break? Hydrolysis

b. Explain the name ATP by listing all the molecules that make it up.
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is composed of adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups

8. When the terminal phosphate bond is broken, a molecule of inorganic phosphate Pi is

formed, and energy is Energy is released .
a. Is this reaction endergonic or exergonic? Exergonic

9. Look at the big picture as shown in Figure below. Both photosynthesis (next chapter) and
cellular respiration are key ecological concepts involved with energy flow. Label the indicated
parts in the following figure.

Light energy

used in generate

Photosynthesis
CO2 + H2O Organic +
O2
molecules

generate used in

Cellular respiration in
Plant cell mitochondria
Animal cell
breaks down organic molecules,
generating
powers most cellular
ATP work

Heat