Question

Are anabolic pathways exergonic or endergonic?

Answer 1

Exergonic reaction

1. Reactions that release free energy into its surroundings.
2. Such reactions can occur spontaneously, without external factors (since the energy is released rather than consumed).
3. The most common example is cellular respiration, which releases energy into the environment.

Endergonic reaction

1. Energy is absorbed from the external environment.
2. Example- Photosynthesis, since energy is consumed or absorbed from the environment/surroundings.

Catabolic pathway:

1. Biochemical pathway in which larger molecules(macromolecules) are broken down into simpler molecules.
2. Example- Glycolysis (breakdown of glucose into pyruvate).

Anabolic pathway:

1. Anabolic pathway refers to the metabolic way where energy is required to form bonds.
2. In this pathway, simple micro molecules combine to form larger and complex macromolecules.
3. Example- photosynthesis, glycogenesis, etc.
4. Anabolic pathways are always endergonic since energy is consumed to form bonds.