2/26/2022

(PD 223) Biochemistry II

Lecture 2

Dr. Marium Shamaa

I. Bioenergetics

“Bioenergetics” is a branch of
thermodynamics that describes
the transfer and utilization of
energy in living systems.

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Enthalpy (ΔH) & Entropy (ΔS):

The direction and extent to which a chemical
reaction proceeds is determined by the degree
to which two factors change during the
reaction. These are:
Enthalpy (ΔH):
Is a measure of the change in heat
content of the reactants and products
Entropy (ΔS):
Is a measure of the change in
randomness or disorder of reactants and
products

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Free energy change (ΔG)

Neither ΔH nor ΔS by itself is sufficient
to determine whether a chemical reaction
proceeds spontaneously in the direction it is
written ( A B)
However, when combined together,
Enthalpy (ΔH) and Entropy (ΔS) can be used to
define a third quantity, Gibbs free energy (or
Gibbs function) (ΔG).
(ΔG) is the change in free energy, used
as a tool to predict whether the reaction is
exergonic or endergonic.

(ΔH) , (ΔS) & ΔG

ΔG predicts the change in free energy

at standard concentration of
reactants and products and pH=7
(used in biology).
ΔG = ΔH - TΔS
T is the absolute temperature in
degree Kelvins, (oK): [oK = oC + 273]
ΔH is the enthalpy
ΔS is the entropy

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Sign of ΔG & Type of the Reaction

The standard free energy, ΔG, is

used to predict type of a reaction
(either exergonic or endergonic)

Consider the reaction:

A B
If ΔG has a Negative sign:
There is a net loss of energy and the reaction
goes spontaneously to the right, i.e. A is
converted to B.
The reaction is said to be exergonic.
If ΔG has a Positive sign:
There will be a net gain of energy and the
reaction does not go spontaneously from A to
B. It needs energy and the reaction is said to
be endergonic.
If the ΔG is zero:
If ΔG = 0, the reaction is in equilibrium.

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Energy Contents of Compounds

Compounds can be classified according to

their energy contents into three main classes:

1.Very High–energy (ΔG = -10 Kcal)

2.High –energy (ΔG = -7 Kcal)

3.Low – energy (ΔG< -4 Kcal)

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1) Very High-Energy Compounds

The compounds of this group have ΔG= -10

KCal and include :
1) Phospho-enolpyruvate [PEP].
CH2=CH- COOH

O-P

2) 1,3-Diphosphoglycerate [1,3-DPG].
(In glycolysis)

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1) Very High-Energy Compounds

3) Creatine Phosphate [CP] (in muscle).

(In muscle)

4) Succinyl-CoA
In Krebs cycle
O – CO- CH2- CH2- CO – CoA

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2) High -Energy Compounds

The compounds of this group have ΔG= -7

KCal, e.g. ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) and
GTP (Guanosine tri-phosphate, etc)

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3) Low – energy Compounds

The compounds of this group have ΔG‹ -7

KCal, e.g. :
Phosphate Compounds Non-Phosphate Compounds
a) glucose 6-phosphate (Ester bond) Polysaccharides (ether links)

b) glycerol 3-phosphate (Ester bond) Proteins (peptide bonds)

c) AMP (Ester bond) Triacylglycerols (ester links)

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Synthesis, Anabolism
Macromolecules ADP+Pi

(Glucose) Electrical Work,

Nerve Impulse
Catabolism
Mechanical Work,
E E Muscle Contraction

Osmotic Work,
Active Transport
Micromolecules
(CO2+H2O) ATP Heat
(Body Temperature)
Role of ATP in Energy Metabolism
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Movement of Energy from High-energy to low-

energy compounds through ATP

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Movement of Energy from High-energy to low-

energy compounds through ATP

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Thank you

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