Endergonic
Endergonic is a term used in biochemistry to describe a reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings. This is in contrast to an exergonic reaction, which releases energy. Endergonic reactions are not spontaneous and require an input of energy to proceed. They are often coupled with exergonic reactions to ensure that the overall process is energetically favorable.
Overview[edit | edit source]
In an endergonic reaction, the Gibbs free energy is positive, indicating that the reaction requires an input of energy to proceed. This energy can come from a variety of sources, such as light in the case of photosynthesis, or from the breakdown of high-energy molecules like ATP.
Endergonic reactions are crucial for many biological processes, including cell growth, DNA replication, and the synthesis of proteins and other biomolecules. They are also involved in the storage of energy, such as in the formation of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.
Examples of Endergonic Reactions[edit | edit source]
One of the most well-known examples of an endergonic reaction is photosynthesis, where light energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Another example is the synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate, which is driven by the energy released from the breakdown of glucose in the process of cellular respiration.
Endergonic vs Exergonic Reactions[edit | edit source]
While endergonic reactions require an input of energy and have a positive Gibbs free energy, exergonic reactions release energy and have a negative Gibbs free energy. In biological systems, these two types of reactions often occur together in a process known as coupled reactions. This allows the energy released from an exergonic reaction to drive an endergonic reaction, ensuring that the overall process is energetically favorable.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Endergonic Resources | |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
