Fundamentals of Biology

Biochemical Reactions, Enzymes, and ATP

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Session Overview

This session will introduce basic ideas of metabolism, Gibbs free energy, biochemical reactions, enzymes and ATP as the energy currency. Learning Objectives To understand that organisms, through their biochemistry, transform matter and energy. To apply the general laws of thermodynamics to biological reactions. To define Gibbs free energy, determine the Gibbs free energy change associated with a biochemical reaction, and identify spontaneous and non-spontaneous reactions. To understand the role that enzymes play in biochemical reactions. To understand how ATP provides the energy to power cellular work.

Session Activities

Lecture Video

Watch the lecture video excerpt

• Biochemical Reactions, Enzymes, and ATP

Check Yourself

Question 1

If the ΔG of a reaction is negative, which of the following is a true statement?

All of these options. check

Energy is released in this reaction. close

None of these options. close

The reaction is exergonic. close

The reaction is spontaneous. close

Check

Question 2

Choose an ending that makes the following statement true. “In an enzyme catalyzed reaction…”

energy is always released close

the activation energy is decreased. check

the difference in Gibbs free energy between products and reactants is lowered. close

the equilibrium constant is changed. close

Check

Question 3

Which of the following statements is true with respect to ATP? ATP is commonly used in coupled reactions1. The hydrolysis of ATP is an endergonic reaction 2. The hydrolysis of ATP produces inorganic phosphate and ATP. 3. ATP is used as an energy source and a building block in RNA. 4. ATP can donate a phosphate group that becomes covalently linked to a protein.

a, b, c, d close

a, c, d, e check

all of these options close

b, c, d close

Check

Session Activities

Practice Problems

• Problems (PDF)
• Solutions (PDF)

Further Study

Useful Links

• Introduction to Thermodynamics and Protein Folding
• Enzyme-Catalyzed Reactions
• ATP and Coupled Reactions

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