Campbell's Biology, 9e (Reece et al.) Chapter 8 An Introduction to Metabolism This chapter lays the foundations for the chapters on respiration and photosynthesis. Key concepts are as follows: The laws of thermodynamics govern energy transformations by living organisms, metabolic reactions couple energy-harvesting reactions to reactions that accomplish cellular work, and enzymes increase the rates of reaction. Understanding the properties of enzymes, how they work, and how their activities are regulated is necessary to achieve an understanding of metabolic pathways. Multiple-Choice Questions 1) Which term most precisely describes the cellular process of breaking down large molecules into smaller ones? A) catalysis B) metabolism C) anabolism D) dehydration E) catabolism