EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
metabolism - answer- the totality of an organism's chemical reactions
metabolic pathway - answer- a series of chemical reactions that begins with a
specific molecule, which is then altered in a series of steps catalyzed by specific
enzymes, resulting in a certain product
catabolic pathway (breakdown pathway) - answer- metabolic pathway that releases
energy by breaking down complex molecules into smaller, simpler compounds
ex/ cellular respiration (organic fuels break down to CO₂ and water)
anabolic pathway (biosynthetic pathways) - answer- metabolic pathway that
consumes energy to build complex molecules from simpler ones
ex/ protein from amino acids
bioenergetics - answer- the study of how energy flows through living organisms
energy - answer- the capacity to cause change; exists in various forms, some
perform work; the ability to rearrange a collection of matter
kinetic energy - answer- energy associated with motion
heat (thermal energy) - answer- kinetic energy associated with the random
movement of atoms or molecules
potential energy - answer- energy that matter possesses because of its location or
structure
chemical energy - answer- the potential energy available for release in a chemical
reaction due to the molecule's structure
thermodynamics - answer- the study of energy transformations
(system [matter under study, can be isolated/open] vs. surroundings)
first law (of thermodynamics) - answer- The principle of conservation of energy:
Energy can be transferred and transformed, but it cannot be created or destroyed.
enthropy - answer- a measure of disorder, or randomness;
(appears as increasing amounts of heat and less ordered forms of matter)
second law (of thermodynamics) - answer- Every energy transfer or transformation
increases the entropy (disorder) of the universe.
ex/ bear making kinetic energy - produces heat and CO₂ (as it exhales)