Page 79 - General Biochemistry
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HEAT is energy in its most random state
Free Energy
• The portion of a system's energy that can perform work.
G = H - TS
G = free energy of a system
H = total energy of a system
T = temperature in oK
S = entropy of a system
Free Energy of a System
• If the system has:
– more free energy
– it is less stable
– It has greater work capacity
• Metabolic equilibrium = zero free energy so it can do no work DEAD
CELL
• Metabolic disequilibrium = produces free energy to do work
• More unstable produces more free energy
• EX. Greater concentration/temperature differences
Chemical Reactions
• Are the source of energy for living systems.
• Are based on free energy changes.
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