[02] Energy and Thermodynamics in Biochemical Reactions Flashcards
What is energy in the context of biochemistry?
The capacity to do work or cause a change, often involved in biochemical reactions.
Define thermodynamics.
A field of physics that deals with heat, work, temperature, and the statistical behavior of systems.
What are the four laws of thermodynamics?
- Zeroth law
- First law
- Second law
- Third law
Describe the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics.
If two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
What does the First Law of Thermodynamics state?
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only change forms.
What does the Second Law of Thermodynamics state?
In any closed system, the entropy of the system will always increase over time.
What does the Third Law of Thermodynamics state?
As the temperature approaches absolute zero, the entropy of a system approaches a minimum value.
What is entropy in the context of thermodynamics?
A measure of the randomness or disorder within a system.
Define endothermic reaction.
A chemical reaction that absorbs heat from its surroundings.
Define exothermic reaction.
A chemical reaction that releases heat to its surroundings.
Endo - Initials
Endo → Inward or Within
Exo - Initials
Exo → Outward or Outside
What is Gibbs Free Energy?
A thermodynamic potential that measures the maximum reversible work that a system can perform at constant temperature and pressure.
What does a negative change in Gibbs Free Energy indicate?
The reaction is spontaneous.
What does a positive change in Gibbs Free Energy indicate?
The reaction is non-spontaneous and requires energy to proceed.
