Endergonic Response (Gr. Endon - Inside, Ergon - Work)

Endergonic reaction

An endergonic reaction is a reaction accompanied by the absorption of energy. For its flow, energy is required from an external source.

Endergonic reactions, unlike exergonic reactions, occur with the absorption of energy from the environment. They cannot occur spontaneously, since this contradicts the second law of thermodynamics.

To trigger an endergonic reaction, a source of additional energy is needed, for example in the form of heat, light, electric current, etc. This energy source compensates for the negative change in enthalpy of the reaction.

Classic examples of endergonic reactions include the synthesis of ATP from ADP and phosphate, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation and some other processes in living organisms. The energy for their implementation comes from oxidative reactions, from light and other sources.

Endergonic reactions play an important role in biochemical processes, allowing energy to be stored in ATP molecules and other compounds for further use by the cell. Their study provides the key to understanding metabolism and energy conversion in living organisms.