Midterm Topics: Energy Gradients

Question 1

What are gradients and how do they relate to energy?

Answer 1

• gradients are an energy source—> how dispersed substances are
• relates to energy because ions create energy when they move on their gradient

Question 2

What is Gibbs free energy?

Answer 2

The energy that is available todo “work”–> to facilitate some biological process or function

Question 3

What is diffusion?

Answer 3

Passive transport (no energy needed) that occurs from a area of high to low concentration (“moves down” the gradient)

Question 4

What forces act on ions in a solution?

Answer 4

chemical driving force and electrical driving force

Question 5

What is Gibbs-Donnon equilibrium? What forces are acting in a G/D senerierio?

Answer 5

• Describes the movement of charged particles across a membrane
  
  • Takes into account both concentration and charge
• forces: chem driving force and electrical driving force