Bio Thermochemistry Flashcards
energy
capacity to do work
potential energy
energy that matter possesses because of its location or structure
biological importance of potential energy
chemical energy is a form of potential energy in molecules because of the arrangement of atoms
thermodynamics
study of energy transformations
system
the matter under study in thermodynamics
surroundings
everything outside the system
closed system
isolated from surroundings - energy can exchange between system and surrounding but not matter
open system
energy and often matter can be transferred between the system and surroundings
first law of thermodynamics
the total amount of energy in the universe is constant - energy cannot be created or destroyed but can be transferred and transformed
where does kinetic energy for humans come from?
from potential energy in food eaten earlier that was stored in the body - cellular respiration unleashes it from food first
where does the chemical energy in food come from?
from light energy converted by plants during photosynthesis
exergonic
when energy for breaking and forming bonds is released
endergonic
when energy for breaking and forming bonds is absorbed
how do cells release free energy
by gradually breaking down organic fuel in a series of reactions each catalyzed by an enzyme
types of cellular work
transport work, mechanical work, chemical work
