Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Catabolism and Anabolism
Catabolism refers to the metabolic pathways that break down molecules into smaller units, releasing energy in the process. In contrast, anabolism involves the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy input. Understanding the relationship between these two processes is crucial for grasping metabolic functions in biological systems.
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Catabolic & Anabolic Pathways
Exergonic and Endergonic Reactions
Exergonic reactions are those that release energy, often associated with catabolic processes, while endergonic reactions require an input of energy, typical of anabolic processes. This distinction is essential for understanding how energy transformations occur in biological systems and how they relate to metabolic pathways.
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Types of Chemical Reactions
Free Energy
Free energy, often denoted as Gibbs free energy, is a thermodynamic quantity that indicates the amount of energy available to do work in a system at constant temperature and pressure. It plays a critical role in determining the spontaneity of reactions, where a decrease in free energy indicates a spontaneous process, aligning with catabolic reactions, while an increase indicates non-spontaneity, typical of anabolic reactions.
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