Free Energy, Entropy, and Enthalpy

Flashcards covering key concepts of free energy, entropy, enthalpy, and metabolic processes.

What is Gibbs Free Energy?

It is the energy available for doing work within a system, which remains constant according to the first law of thermodynamics.

What happens to energy during chemical reactions according to the first law of thermodynamics?

The energy before a reaction is equivalent to the energy after a reaction; energy is neither gained nor lost.

What is entropy?

Entropy is the extent of disorder or randomness in a system, becoming maximum as equilibrium is approached.

How is high entropy related to system order?

High entropy corresponds with a high level of disorder, while low entropy indicates highly ordered systems.

What is enthalpy?

Enthalpy is the total heat content of a system, varying with the heat changes during chemical reactions.

What does a negative Delta G indicate about a reaction?

A negative Delta G means the reaction will proceed spontaneously with a loss of free energy, termed an Exergonic reaction.

What is an Endergonic reaction?

An Endergonic reaction occurs only if free energy is gained, meaning energy needs to be added for the reaction to proceed.

What does Delta G equal to zero signify?

If Delta G is zero, the system is considered to be at equilibrium, indicating no net change in products or reactants.

How can Exergonic and Endergonic reactions be coupled in biological systems?

Exergonic reactions release energy that can be used to drive Endergonic reactions, allowing metabolic processes to occur.

What are the three major sources of ATP production?

The three major sources are oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, and the TCA cycle.

Where is the significant energy stored in ATP?

The significant energy is stored within the phosphodiester bonds of the ATP molecule, particularly in the hydrolysis of the last phosphate group.

What does a negative overall Delta G in a series of reactions indicate?

It indicates that the overall reaction series is Exergonic and spontaneous.