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An endergonic reaction (such as photosynthesis) is a reaction that requires energy to be driven. Endergonic means "absorbing energy in the form of work." The activation energy for the reaction is typically larger than the overall energy of the exergonic reaction (1). Endergonic reactions are nonspontaneous.
An endergonic reaction is an anabolic chemical reaction that consumes energy. [3] It is the opposite of an exergonic reaction. It has a positive ΔG because it takes more energy to break the bonds of the reactant than the energy of the products offer, i.e. the products have weaker bonds than the reactants.
For exergonic and endergonic reactions, see the separate articles: Endergonic reaction; Exergonic reaction; See also. Exergonic process; Endergonic; Exothermic process;
Thus, an input of chemical energy through a coupling with an exergonic reaction is necessary. [1]: 25–27 The coupled reaction of the catabolic pathway affects the thermodynamics of the reaction by lowering the overall activation energy of an anabolic pathway and allowing the reaction to take place.
The total free energy change of a reaction is independent of the activation energy however. Physical and chemical reactions can be either exergonic or endergonic, but the activation energy is not related to the spontaneity of a reaction. The overall reaction energy change is not altered by the activation energy.
The reaction will only be allowed if the total entropy change of the universe is zero or positive. This is reflected in a negative ΔG, and the reaction is called an exergonic process. If two chemical reactions are coupled, then an otherwise endergonic reaction (one with positive ΔG) can be made to happen.
The chain of redox reactions driving the flow of electrons through the electron transport chain, from electron donors such as NADH to electron acceptors such as oxygen and hydrogen (protons), is an exergonic process – it releases energy, whereas the synthesis of ATP is an endergonic process, which requires an input of energy.
The change of Gibbs free energy (ΔG) in an exergonic reaction (that takes place at constant pressure and temperature) is negative because energy is lost (2). In chemical thermodynamics, an exergonic reaction is a chemical reaction where the change in the free energy is negative (there is a net release of free energy). [1]