How cells cheat the laws of thermodynamics to build life
In short: Biological systems must overcome energy barriers to create complex molecules like glucose 6-phosphate. This video explains reaction coupling, the mechanism by which cells link unfavorable reactions with favorable ones to power the chemistry of life.
The video explores how organisms manage chemical transformations that would not occur spontaneously in a vacuum. By using reaction coupling, cells pair an endergonic process—one that requires an input of energy—with an exergonic process that releases it. This ensures the overall net change in free energy is negative, allowing life to build and maintain complex structures.
This concept is fundamental to understanding cellular metabolism and how biological systems remain organized against the natural tendency toward entropy.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Reaction coupling to create glucose 6 phosphate | Biology | Khan Academy
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