Introduction to Metabolism 

Unit: Matter and Energy in Organisms 

 
Review and Discuss 

  In what ways does carbon contribute to the molecular diversity of life? 

How does the cell make the things it needs to survive? 

 
Carbon skeletons make up macromolecules 
  Carbohydrates  Lipids  Amino acids/proteins  Nucleic Acids 

Circle at least 2 
carbons for 
each 
macromolecule 
 
   

Briefly describe         
its function in 
the cell 

 
Think-Pair-Share: Metabolism 
What do you know   
about the term, 
metabolism? 
Define metabolism   

How is a cell’s metabolism similar to a city’s road map?  

   
 
Metabolic Pathways 
Diagram the two types of metabolic pathways 

Anabolic  Catabolic 

   

 
Energy and Mass are Conserved in the Universe 
Fill in the blanks:  The first law of thermodynamics states that _______________ is neither created nor 
destroyed, only _______________. 
 
Conservation of mass states that _______________ is neither created nor destroyed, 
but can be _______________ and _____________________.  
Count​ the 
number of 
carbon, 
hydrogen, and 
oxygen atoms on 
the right side of 
the reaction and 
fill in the table.  
 
After watching 
the video, ​circle 
the two 
molecules in the 
reaction that we 
breathe out when 
we burn fat.   
Is mass conserved in this reaction? Circle: Yes or No  

Where does the energy come from? 

Define ​chemical   
energy 

 
Circle ​the 
molecule in the 
reaction that   
contains the high  Is this a catabolic or anabolic reaction? _____________ 
energy bonds 

 
Some reactions release energy, others require energy 
Circle​ the correct terms  Catabolic pathways are usually e ​ ndergonic/exergonic​ reactions because 
to complete the  they ​release/require​ energy. They involve the ​breakdown/assembly ​of 
statements:  smaller/larger ​molecules into s​ maller/larger o​ nes. 

Anabolic pathways are usually ​endergonic/exergonic​ reactions because 

they ​release/require​ energy. They involve the ​breakdown/assembly ​of 
smaller/larger ​molecules into s​ maller/larger o​ nes. 

Clarification question:   
Does ​spontaneous​ mean 
fast? 
  
Answer the following questions about the figure above: 
Where do the cellular building blocks used to make the macromolecules come from? 
 
 
 
 
Where does the energy used to make the macromolecules come from? 
 
 
 
 

 
Energy coupling 
Clarification   
question: What 
does the term 
coupled m​ ean 
here? 
Circle ​the high  When one of these high energy groups 
energy groups in  is broken off ATP, energy is: 
ATP   
  Released​ or C
​ onsumed​? (circle) 
 

Discuss: ​What can cells use  ●  

the energy released by the 
 
hydrolysis of ATP for? 
●  
 
●  
 
●    
 
 
Summary 
Matter and energy are neither created nor destroyed, instead they f​ low​ through living organisms 

A cell’s ​metabolism ​shows this flow 

● The atoms of food molecules are rearranged and combined into different molecules in 
reactions that either release or require energy 

Sometimes an ​endergonic ​reaction needs the energy from an e​ xergonic r​ eaction to take place 
● ATP hydrolysis i​ s a common exergonic reaction to use 
● Because of this, ATP is referred to as the energy currency of the cell