Biochemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics Flashcards
The second law of thermodynamics states…
Law of conservation of energy
The second law of thermodynamics states entropy (disorder) of the universe tends to increase
Spontaneous reactions tend to increase disorder of the universe
Law of conservation of energy
states that energy of the universe is constant so if energy of system decreases then energy of rest of the universe (surroundings) increases and vice versa
Equation for Gibbs free energy and change in enthalpy
What is considered spontaneous?
Under standard conditions, pure elements in their natural phase have ____ and ____ of zero
Also, _______ of simple, chemically pure elements is zero at 0.0K
ΔG = ΔH -TΔS
ΔS -> change in entropy
ΔH = ΔE - PΔV
E -> bond energy of products or reactants in a system
P -> pressure
V -> volume BUT if cellular rxns occur in liquid phase so no change in volume SO
ΔH =ΔE
The change in Gibbs free energy of a reaction determines whether the reaction is favorable (spontaneous, ΔG negative, exergonic) or unfavorable (nonspontaneous, ΔG pos, endergonic)
A negative ΔH means the reaction is exothermic
Under standard conditions, pure elements in their natural phase have Hfº and Gfº of zero
-> Note that the standard Gibbs free energy of formation of an element in its standard is zero (ΔGƒ° = 0) because, at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure, the element in its standard state already exists, no change has to take place.
Only the entropy of simple, chemically pure elements is zero at 0.0K
Something that is non spontaneous requires…
Energy input
What equation would we use for calculating ΔG for a reaction in the body?
ΔG = ΔGº’ + RTlnQ
where Q = [C][D]/[A][B] (this is similar to Keq equation but there you would use concentrations at equilibrium)
What does Keq tell you versus Q?
A large Keq means that more products are present at equilibrium. It is Keq that says something about the nature of reactants and products, since it describes their concentrations after equilibrium is reached
The size of Q says nothing about properties of the reactants and products. Q is calculated from whatever initial concentrations happen to be. Can’t tell if prod or reactants have lower free energy.
When Keq is large this means…
When Q is large this means …
Keq -> means more products present at equilibrium
Q -> Says nothing about properties of reactants or products bc Q is calc with whatever the natural present concentrations happen to be then
Two factors determine whether a reaction is spontaneous:
a) The intrinsic properties of reactants and products
b) The concentrations of reactants and products (RTlnQ)
If something is spontaneous this means nothing about rate of reaction
Thermodynamics only tells you…
A thermodynamically favorable reaction is…
Where a system starts and finishes but nothing about the path traveled to get there
Spontaneous
Chemical kinetics is…
Study of reaction rates
All reactions proceed through transition state that is unstable and takes a great deal of energy to produce
Need certain amount of energy to produce transition state - need to have activation energy
What does catalyst do to transiton state? What does it do to delta G? Do enzymes have a thermodynamic or kinetic role?
Catalyst lowers the transition state by stabilizing the transiton state
The catalyst is not consumed, it is regenerated
Does NOTHING to delta G
Enzymes have a kinetic role not a thermodynamic one
A rxn that would take 100 years to reach equilibrium without an enzyme may occur in just seconds with an enzyme
Oxidation
Reduction
Oxidation = loss of e-s Reduction = gain of e-s
Important: 3 different ways to recognize oxidation reactions
1) gain of oxygen atoms
2) loss of hydrogen atom
3) loss of electrons
Important: 3 different ways of recognizing reduction reactions
1) loss of oxygen
2) gain of hydrogen atom
3) gain of electrons
How can you visualize if something is oxidation or reduction? ex. disulfide bond
Ex. For forming of disulfide bond see H’s disappear so it’s an oxidation
What does oxidative catabolism mean in terms of extracting energy from glucose
We break down glucose by oxidizing it