Biology / Unit 3 Bio 0493 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Gibbs Free Energy and Exergonic/Endergonic Reactions
Captions available
The idea
Gibbs free energy is a reaction's usable energy; an exergonic reaction releases free energy and proceeds unaided, while an endergonic reaction needs an input.
In practice
Glucose breakdown is exergonic; building glucose from carbon dioxide is endergonic and needs an energy source.
Where people slip
A negative free-energy change marks exergonic; a positive one marks endergonic — the sign, not the size, decides.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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