Module 13 Flashcards
What are the two forms of energy?
Kinetic and potential energy
What is kinetic energy?
Energy associated with movement
What is potential energy?
Stored energy that depends on the structure of an object or its position relative to its surroundings
What is chemical energy?
A form of potential energy held in the bonds of molecules
Chemical energy is crucial for cellular processes.
What type of energy do the bonds linking phosphate groups in ATP have?
High potential energy that can be harnessed for use by the cell
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is essential for energy transfer in cells.
What does the first law of thermodynamics state?
Energy cannot be created or destroyed
This law emphasizes the conservation of energy in biological systems.
What does the second law of thermodynamics state?
There is an increase in entropy in the universe over time
This law has implications for energy transfer and transformation.
Define entropy.
The degree of disorder or a measure of the number of positions and motions a molecule can take
Entropy is a key concept in understanding thermodynamic processes.
What do chemical reactions involve?
The breaking and forming of bonds
Chemical reactions transform molecules and transfer energy in cells.
What happens to atoms during a chemical reaction?
Atoms themselves do not change; the bonds among them change as they form new molecules.
What influences the direction of a chemical reaction?
The concentration of reactants and products.
What is Gibbs free energy (G)?
The amount of energy available to do work.
What characterizes exergonic reactions?
They are spontaneous (deltaG < 0) and release energy.
What characterizes endergonic reactions?
They are non-spontaneous (deltaG > 0) and require energy.
What is the hydrolysis of ATP classified as?
An exergonic reaction that drives many endergonic reactions in a cell.
How are non-spontaneous reactions managed in living systems?
They are often coupled with spontaneous reactions.
