To take the energy from an exergonic reaction and use it to power an endergonic reaction, a cell can:
create the energy for the endergonic reaction to occur.
Why is this false?
I thought a exergonic reaction create energy for the endergonic reaction to occur?
Mom
The statement "To take the energy from an exergonic reaction and use it to power an endergonic reaction, a cell can create the energy for the endergonic reaction to occur" is false. In biological systems, a cell cannot directly create energy for an endergonic reaction.
To understand why, it is important to know the difference between exergonic and endergonic reactions.
- Exergonic reactions release energy: In exergonic reactions, the reactants have a higher energy level than the products. As a result, when the reaction occurs, energy is released. Examples of exergonic reactions include cellular respiration, where glucose is broken down to release energy.
- Endergonic reactions require energy: In endergonic reactions, the products have a higher energy level than the reactants. These reactions require an input of energy to proceed. Examples of endergonic reactions include photosynthesis, where energy from the sun is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose.
In a cell, exergonic reactions can release energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the main energy currency of cells. However, this released energy cannot directly power endergonic reactions.
To connect exergonic and endergonic reactions, cells use ATP as an intermediate energy carrier. The energy released from exergonic reactions is used to drive the synthesis of ATP molecules through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Then, the ATP molecules formed can be used as a source of energy to power endergonic reactions within the cell.
In summary, while exergonic reactions release energy, cells cannot directly create energy for endergonic reactions. Instead, cells use ATP, generated from exergonic reactions, to provide the energy needed for endergonic reactions.