Learn → Glossary → biochemistry
Free energy
Potential energy inherent in the chemical bonds of nutrients.
Also: Gibbs free energy
Thermodynamic quantity (ΔG) that predicts whether a reaction will proceed spontaneously. Cells use exergonic reactions (negative ΔG) such as ATP hydrolysis to drive endergonic ones.
How one textbook covers it
Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, 8th ed. (Gropper) — Glossary
Thermodynamic quantity (ΔG) that predicts whether a reaction will proceed spontaneously. Cells use exergonic reactions (negative ΔG) such as ATP hydrolysis to drive endergonic ones.
Related terms
Endothermic reaction, Exothermic reaction