Understanding Metabolism - Videos & Lessons

About This Chapter

This convenient science chapter helps you review the fundamentals of metabolism. Consult these lessons and quizzes whenever you need to study for an upcoming science exam, catch up on missed class information or get extra homework help.

Understanding Metabolism - Chapter Summary

Get a better understanding of metabolism concepts with this helpful science chapter. Through a series of short and engaging lessons, our instructors show you the basics of chemosynthesis, cellular respiration, protein synthesis, enzyme regulation, gene expression and more. When you're finished with a lesson, take the accompanying self-assessment quiz to make sure you comprehend key terms and concepts. You can revisit the lessons and quizzes as many times as needed, and our instructors are happy to answer any questions you may have. Upon completion of the chapter, you should be equipped to:

Explain basic enzyme concepts
Identify factors that affect the activity of enzymes
Differentiate between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis
Recognize cellular respiration types
Understand the structure and function of nucleic acids
Define the concept of gene expression
Assess the purpose of protein synthesis
Compare protein synthesis in eukaryotes and prokaryotes
Describe enzyme regulation mechanisms

10 Lessons in Chapter 5: Understanding Metabolism

Chapter Practice Test

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1. What are Enzymes? - Definition & Explanation

In this lesson, you will discover what enzymes are, explore how they work, and learn why they're needed for your cells' day-to-day functions. The lesson concludes with a quiz to test your knowledge.

2. Factors that Affect Enzyme Activity

This lesson focuses on enzyme activity. We'll go over what an enzyme is and how it's used in the body. We'll also look at the different factors that affect enzyme activity, both positively and negatively.

3. Differences Between Chemosynthesis & Photosynthesis

We all make food in different ways, and the same goes for bacteria, plants, and algae. This lesson goes over the two ways by which such organisms produce food: chemosynthesis and photosynthesis.

4. Types of Cellular Respiration

In this lesson, you'll learn about the basics of cellular respiration. You'll learn about the similarities and differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration, which are the two main types of cellular respiration. Then, you can test yourself with a quiz.

5. Nucleic Acids: Function & Structure

In this lesson, we will explore what nucleic acids are, including the oozing bodily fluid they were first found in, what makes them unique from other types of biological molecules, and why DNA is called the 'blueprint of life.'

6. What Is Gene Expression? - Regulation, Analysis & Definition

What is a gene? How are genes expressed? What does the term gene expression mean? Can we analyze gene expression? These questions will be addressed in this lesson.

7. Protein Synthesis: Definition & Purpose

In this lesson, we will learn about proteins are made in living things. We will also learn why proteins are an important component of the daily diet of organisms, especially people.

8. Protein Synthesis in Eukaryotes

What kind of cells are you made of and how do these cells make protein? In this lesson, we will answer these questions through an investigation into protein synthesis in eukaryotes.

9. Protein Synthesis in Prokaryotes

In this lesson, we'll review what prokaryotes are first. Then, we'll explain the steps and process of protein synthesis in prokaryotes and discover what makes it unique from protein synthesis in other cells.

10. Enzyme Regulation: Mechanisms & Types

This lesson reviews what an enzyme is and its functions. It further discusses mechanisms that regulate enzymes as well as different types of enzyme regulation and concludes with a short quiz.

Chapter Practice Exam

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Practice Final Exam

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Visit the UExcel Microbiology: Study Guide & Test Prep page to learn more.

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