BIOL 2160 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Exergonic Reaction, Allosteric Regulation, Activation Energy
Document Summary
Reaction proceeds in both the forward and the reverse directions at the same time. Catabolic reaction: breakdown of larger molecules into smaller molecules. Anabolic reaction: production of larger molecules from smaller reactants. First law of thermodynamics: energy cannot be destroyed or created, only transformed: conversion of light energy into glucose by plants. Second law of thermodynamics: with every transfer or transformation of energy, some useable energy is released as heat: 100 units potential energy (free energy) 75 units kinetic energy (thermal) + 25 units kinetic energy (motion). Endergonic reactions: chemical reactions that require an input of energy. Products contain more free energy than the reactants. Energetically uphill: example: ball at bottom of hill needs energy to get up hill. Cell phone needs energy, battery releases energy: do not proceed spontaneously, only when energy is put into them, energy from the environment (food) is broken down in exergonic reactions to drive the endergonic reactions in our bodies.
