Exergonic reaction

Exergonic Reaction

Exergonic reaction (pronounced: ex-er-GON-ic re-AK-shun) is a term used in Biochemistry to describe a chemical reaction where the change in the Free energy is negative, indicating a spontaneous reaction.

Etymology

The term "Exergonic" is derived from the Greek words "Exo", meaning "out of", and "Ergon", meaning "work". Thus, an exergonic reaction is one where energy is released or "work" is done.

Definition

An exergonic reaction is a chemical reaction where the energy of the products is less than the energy of the reactants, resulting in a net release of energy during the reaction. This is in contrast to an Endergonic reaction, where energy is absorbed from the surroundings.

Examples

A common example of an exergonic reaction is the breakdown of Glucose in cells, which releases energy that can be used for other cellular processes. This reaction is crucial in Cellular respiration, a process that occurs in all living cells.

Related Terms

Endergonic reaction: A reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings.
Free energy: A thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a system to do work.
Cellular respiration: The process by which cells break down glucose and other molecules to produce energy.
Glucose: A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates.