Module 5 Flashcards
During photosynthesis:
plants use energy (originally from sunlight) to convert carbon dioxide gas (CO2) into sugar molecules, such as glucose (C6H12O6).
During the light reactions of photosynthesis, energy is provided by a molecule called
adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the primary energy currency of all cells.
anabolic pathways
Requires energy
(building polymers; think of “anabolic” steroids)
catabolic pathways
Producing energy
(breaking down polymers into their monomers)
Thermodynamics refers to the study of
energy and energy transfer involving physical matter.
In an open system,
energy can be exchanged with its surroundings.
A closed system
cannot exchange energy with its surroundings.
The first law of thermodynamics states that
the total amount of energy in the universe is constant and conserved
The measure of randomness or disorder within a system
Entropy
second law of thermodynamics
All energy transfers and transformations are never completely efficient
energy will always be lost as heat in energy transfers or transformation
Energy associated with objects in motion is called
kinetic energy
chemical energy
The type of potential energy that exists within chemical bonds, and is released when those bonds are broken.
exergonic reactions.
Think: exergonic means energy is exiting the system.
These reactions are also referred to as spontaneous reactions, and their products have less stored energy than the reactants.
spontaneous reaction that occurs slowly, little by little, over time.
endergonic reactions
are non-spontaneous. An endergonic reaction will not take place on its own without the addition of free energy.
require only a small amount of energy
activation energy
This small amount of energy input necessary for all chemical reactions to occur
