Section 6 - Basic Concepts and Design of
Metabolism
Chapter 15 - Metabolism: Basic Concepts and Design
15.1 Energy Is Required to Meet Three Fundamental Needs
● 3 major purposes for the requirement of continual input of free energy
○ The performance of mechanical work in muscle contraction and cellular
movements
○ The active transport of molecules and ions
○ The synthesis of macromolecules and other biomolecules from simple
precursors
● Phototrophs: Photosynthetic organisms, they obtain energy by trapping sunlight in a
chemical form
● Chemotrophs: Obtain energy through the oxidation of carbon fuels
● Basic principles that underlie energy flow in all living systems
○ Metabolic reactions: a series of linked reactions that degrade fuels and
constructs large molecules
○ ATP is an energy currency common to all life forms
○ The oxidation of carbon fuels powers the formation of ATP
Metabolism
Chapter 15 - Metabolism: Basic Concepts and Design
15.1 Energy Is Required to Meet Three Fundamental Needs
● 3 major purposes for the requirement of continual input of free energy
○ The performance of mechanical work in muscle contraction and cellular
movements
○ The active transport of molecules and ions
○ The synthesis of macromolecules and other biomolecules from simple
precursors
● Phototrophs: Photosynthetic organisms, they obtain energy by trapping sunlight in a
chemical form
● Chemotrophs: Obtain energy through the oxidation of carbon fuels
● Basic principles that underlie energy flow in all living systems
○ Metabolic reactions: a series of linked reactions that degrade fuels and
constructs large molecules
○ ATP is an energy currency common to all life forms
○ The oxidation of carbon fuels powers the formation of ATP
