BIOL130 Lecture Notes - Biofuel, Pyruvic Acid, Riboflavin
10 Dec 2013
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Document Summary
Cells need to carry out a multitude of chemical reactions. They need to form complex molecules to function: energetically intensive process, must obey same thermodynamic principles as non-living matter. Many of these reactions do not occur at rates capable of sustaining life under physiological conditions: they need a mechanism to help enzymes (protein and rna based catalysts) Thermodynamics = the relationship between forms of energy and heat: the interconversion between forms of energy. 1st law of thermodynamics: energy can be transferred and transformed but it cannot be created nor destroyed. Energy = the capacity to do work/ to move matter against opposing forces / to rearrange matter. Kinetic energy (ek) = the energy of motion, heat. Potential energy (ep) = stored energy: as a result of location or structure, chemical bonds contain stored energy and therefore can provide a source of useful cellular energy.
