alleryStart learning →A reaction has a negative change in free energy. What does that sign tell you?
AIt absorbs energy and is non-spontaneous
BIt neither absorbs nor releases any energy
CIt releases energy and is called exergonic
DIt requires an enzyme before it can proceed
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. It releases energy and is called exergonic
1. By convention, reactions that release energy have a free energy change less than zero, that is, a negative value.
2. A negative value also means the products have less free energy than the reactants, because they gave some off.
3. Reactions with a negative free energy change that release free energy are called exergonic, since energy is exiting the system.
4. Absorbing energy corresponds to a positive value instead, which is the endergonic case.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 "Metabolism", section 6.2 Potential, Kinetic, Free, and Activation Energy_
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