Gibbs Free Energy

kinetic energy

the energy an object has due to its motion; useful to organisms; contribute to phenomena at all levels of organization in the universe

potential energy

stored energy that results from the position or shape of an object; useful to organisms; contribute to phenomena at all levels of organization in the universe

more complex molecule =

more potential energy = high enthalpy, low entropy

gibbs free energy

a measurement of the amount of energy that is available for a system (like a cell) to do work

enthalpy

total energy stored in a system

entropy

a measure of the disorder of a system

exergonic reactions

energy is released; polymers into monomers, catabolic; spontaneous; G is negative

catabolic

a process in which large molecules are broken down

endergonic reactions

require energy input to occur; monomer into polymer, anabolic; not spontaneous; G is positive

anabolic

a process in which large molecules are built from small molecules

life is highly ordered

organisms use the energy they convert to power cellular processes that decrease their overall entropy; increases entropy of the surroundings

life requires...

energy input

spontaneous reaction

A reaction that will proceed without any outside energy

∆H

enthalpy

∆T

change in temperature

∆G

change in free energy

∆S

change in entropy