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- Energy and the Ability to Do Work
- The laws of thermodynamics describe the basic properties of energy.
- Living things use the energy of sunlight to create the low-entropy conditions characteristic of life.
- Energy Flow in Chemical Reactions
- Exergonic reactions release energy.
- Endergonic reactions require an input of energy.
- Coupled reactions link exergonic with endergonic reactions.
- Chemical reactions are reversible.
- Controlling the Metabolism of Living Cells
- At body temperatures, high activation energy makes spontaneous reactions proceed too slowly to sustain life.
- Catalysts reduce activation energy.
- Enzymes are biological catalysts.
- Coupled Reactions and Energy-Carrier Molecules
- ATP is the principal energy carrier in a cell.
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