Biochemical Energetics

Biochemical Energetics

What is the source of energy in life processes?

All cells require energy for a number of purposes. Many reactions that take place in the cell, particularly those involving synthesis of large molecules, can-not take place unless energy is supplied. The Sun is the ultimate source of energy for all life on Earth. Photosynthetic organisms trap light energy and use it to drive the energy-requiring reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates and oxygen. (Note that these reactions involve the chemical process of reduction.) Nonphotosynthetic organisms, such as animals that consume these carbohydrates, use them as energy sources. (The reactions that release energy involve the chemical process of oxidation.) We are going to dis-cuss the roles that oxidation and reduction reactions play in cellular processes, and you will see many examples of such reactions in subsequent. For the moment, it is useful and sufficient to recall from general chemistry that oxidation is the loss of electrons and reduction is the gain of electrons.

How do we measure energy changes in biochemistry?

One of the most important questions about any process is whether energy changes favor the process. Thermodynamics is the branch of science that deals with this question. The key point is that processes that release energy are favored. Conversely, processes that require energy are disfavored. The change in energy depends only on the state of the molecules present at the start of the process and the state of those present at the end of the process. This is true whether the process in question is the formation or breaking of a bond, the formation or disruption of an intermolecular interaction, or any possible process that requires or can release energy. This material is of central importance, and it tends to be challenging for many. What we say about it now will make it easier to apply in later. A reaction that takes place as a part of many biochemical processes is the hydrolysis of the compound adenosine triphosphate, or ATP.

Summary

The Sun is the source of energy for all life on Earth. It provides the energy for photosynthesis, which produces carbohydrates as well as oxy-gen. Carbohydrates can be processed in chemical reactions that release energy.

Reactions that release energy are favored and thus are likely to occur. Thermodynamics is the branch of science that predicts the likelihood of reactions.