endergonic
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- (Biochemistry) Requiring or absorbing energy: Describes a chemical reaction or process that consumes energy from its surroundings. In such processes, the products possess higher free energy than the reactants.
Usage
- This term is primarily used in scientific contexts, especially in biochemistry, biology, and chemistry, to describe non-spontaneous reactions that need an input of energy to proceed.
- It is the opposite of an exergonic reaction, which releases energy.
Examples
- Adjective:
- Photosynthesis is a classic endergonic process, as it uses light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
- The synthesis of complex molecules like proteins from amino acids is endergonic and requires ATP.
- For an endergonic reaction to occur, it must be coupled with an energy-releasing (exergonic) reaction.
Advanced Usage
- "Endergonic process": A standard phrase referring to any energy-absorbing transformation.
- Active transport across a cell membrane is an endergonic process.
- In thermodynamics, an endergonic reaction has a positive change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG > 0).
Variants and Related Words
- Endergonically (adverb): In an endergonic manner.
- The reaction proceeds endergonically, driven by the hydrolysis of ATP.
- Endergonicity (noun, rare): The property or state of being endergonic.
Synonyms
- Energy-absorbing
- Energy-consuming
- Non-spontaneous (in a thermodynamic context)
- Uphill (metaphorical, describing a process requiring effort/energy input)
Antonyms
- Exergonic: (Adjective) Describing a process that releases energy.
- Spontaneous: (Adjective, in thermodynamics) Occurring without an external input of energy.
Adjective
- (biochemistry) of a process accompanied by or requiring the absorption of energy; the products of the process are of greater free energy than the reactants
- photosynthesis is an endergonic process