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Chapter 8 An Introduction to Metabolism Overview: The Energy of Life The living cell Is a miniature factory where thousands of reactions occur Converts energy in many ways Some organisms Convert energy to light, as in bioluminescence Figure 8.1 Concept 8.1: An organism?s metabolism transforms matter and energy, subject to the laws of thermodynamics Metabolism Is the totality of an organism?s chemical reactions Arises from interactions between molecules Organization of the Chemistry of Life into Metabolic Pathways A metabolic pathway has many steps That begin with a specific molecule and end with a product That are each catalyzed by a specific enzyme Enzyme 1 Enzyme 2 Enzyme 3 A B C D Reaction 1 Reaction 2 Reaction 3 Starting molecule Product Catabolic pathways
