Week 5: Metabolism & Cell Energy

September 25th - October 1st

Week 5 Overview

How does a cell stay active? This week we will discuss the basic properties of cellular activity and review some basic principles of physics.

Weekly Objectives:

Define metabolism
Define catabolic and anabolic pathways
Describe potential energy and the four forms of energy: kinetic, thermal, chemical and radiant
Explain the first and second laws of thermodynamics
Explain the difference between exergonic and endergonic reactions
Describe three jobs the cell does which requires energy
Explain the basic process of oxidation-reduction (“redox”) reactions
Explain how enzymes speed up metabolic reactions
Describe the function of active sites on enzymes
Describe how metabolic reactions can be sped up with enzyme production
Analyze how enzyme activity can be affected by local conditions, including: temperature, pH, cofactors, enzyme inhibitors
Define allosteric regulation and explain how specifically cooperativity and feedback inhibition can regulate enzyme activity

Readings: .

WNC Custom Biology Textbook: Chp 8 (pg. 179-197)

OpenStax Biology Textbook: Chapter 6 (pg. 165-180)

Homework Problems:

MasteringBiology

Due 10/1 @ 11:59pm

Supplemental Materials (to help you learn the course materials)

Intro to Chemistry:

Rachelle Bassen
rachelle.bassen@wnc.edu
775-445-4447
Office: BRIS 350P
Skype: sciprofbassen