Exergonic
(exer releases/out of) -gonic (energy) reactions that release energy
Exergonic refers to a chemical reaction that releases energy as it proceeds. In other words, the products of an exergonic reaction have less energy than the reactants. These reactions are thermodynamically favorable, where the energy released can be used to do work. The opposite of exergonic is endergonic, where a reaction requires the input of energy to proceed.
An example of an exergonic reaction is the breakdown of glucose during cellular respiration. Glucose is oxidized and releases energy that can be used to generate ATP, which is used for various cellular processes. The hydrolysis of ATP is another example of an exergonic reaction, where the energy released by breaking the phosphate bond can be used for cellular work.
It is important to note that although exergonic reactions release energy, they still require activation energy to initiate. This activation energy is the energy required to break the bonds of the reactants and start the reaction. Once the reaction starts and the products have lower energy, the energy released can be used to do work.
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