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6: Enzyme Thermodynamics

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    154156
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    • 6.1: Enzymes
      Biological catalysts are enzymes, and the overwhelming majority of enzymes are proteins. A smaller class of RNA molecules, called ribozymes, also catalyzes reactions. Most ribozymes act on themselves, where part of the RNA strand serves as the substrate. Unless stated otherwise, the term enzyme refers to a protein catalyst. Enzymes provide strong reaction specificity.
    • 6.2: Enzyme Commission Number
      The Enzyme Commission (EC) numbering system classifies enzymes by the reactions they catalyze. Enzymes are grouped into seven major classes based on reaction type. Each enzyme receives a unique four part EC number that identifies the main class, subclass, and sub subclass. Examples include peptidase (EC 3.4.11.4) and carbon nitrogen bond ligases (EC 6.3).
    • 6.3: Endergonic and Exergonic Reactions
      Endergonic and exergonic reactions are defined by changes in Gibbs free energy. Exergonic reactions occur spontaneously (ΔG < 0), while endergonic reactions require energy input (ΔG > 0). Chemical equilibrium occurs when forward and reverse reaction rates are equal. Most biological reactions remain far from equilibrium because cells continuously supply energy.
    • 6.4: The Laws of Thermodynamics
      The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy in a closed system is conserved and can only change form. The Second Law states that entropy in a closed system always increases.
    • 6.5: Thermodynamics
      Energy flow in biological systems follows the laws of thermodynamics. Energy is conserved but becomes less available for work as entropy increases. Living systems can produce local decreases in entropy, but the total entropy of the universe still rises.
    • 6.6: Energy in Metabolism
      Living organisms consist of highly organized cells that maintain order despite the universal tendency toward disorder. This organization requires continuous energy input through cellular metabolism. ATP functions as the primary cellular energy currency and drives biochemical reactions governed by Gibbs free energy (ΔG). Key concepts include standard free energy change, Le Chatelier’s principle, and energy storage in triphosphates.


    6: Enzyme Thermodynamics is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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