Definition

1. 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

1. (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