3.

4 – Cellular Energetics
All living systems require
constant input of free energy
AP BIOLOGY In order to exist, life requires a 2
highly ordered system.
2.A.1 (a)
Systems are groups of
Free Energy
components that interact with
Key Terms each other within a defined
area.
System
The biozone (Earth) is
Closed considered a closed system
System
because:

• Energy is exchanged with

surroundings (space)

• Matter is not exchanged with

surroundings

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AP BIOLOGY Living systems are considered open systems because both matter 3
and energy are exchanged with the environment. Organisms
2.A.1 (a)
transform matter/energy and output it to their surroundings.
Free Energy
Key Terms

System

Closed
System

Open
System

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AP BIOLOGY Thermodynamics is a branch of science that studies the relationship 4
between heat and other forms of energy.
2.A.1 (b)
Free Energy
Key Terms

Thermo-
dynamics

First Law
of Thermo.

The first law of thermodynamics states:

• Energy can neither be created • Energy can only be
nor destroyed transferred and transformed.
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AP BIOLOGY Within a system, entropy is a measure of order and disorder. In 5
organisms, order is maintained by the constant input of free energy
2.A.1 (a)
into the system. This energy is available for use in reactions.
Free Energy
Key Terms

System

Closed
System

Open
System

Entropy

Free
Energy
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AP BIOLOGY Living systems do not violate 6
the second law of
2.A.1 (b)
thermodynamics.
Free Energy
Although they are highly
Key Terms ordered, their processes increase
overall disorder.
Thermo-
dynamics This is accomplished through:

First Law • Coupling processes

of Thermo.
• Excess energy input
Second Law
of Thermo. • Exergonic reactions

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AP BIOLOGY Energy input must exceed free energy lost to entropy to maintain 7
order and power cellular processes
2.A.1 (b)
Free Energy
Key Terms

Endergonic

Exergonic

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AP BIOLOGY Organisms require free energy 8
in order to:
2.A.1 (d)
Free Energy • Maintain organization

Key Terms • Grow

• Reproduce

This is seen in:

• Body temperature regulation

• Reproductive strategies

• Metabolic rate

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AP BIOLOGY If the overall amount of free 9
energy is changed, there can be
2.A.1 (f)
disruptions in an ecosystem.
Free Energy
Aspects that can change can
Key Terms include:

• Level of producers

• Energy resources such as

sunlight

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AP BIOLOGY Variations in producer levels can affect the number and size of 10
other trophic levels. As shown below, if the amount of plants
2.A.1 (f)
decreases, less matter would be available for herbivores and
Free Energy predators.

Key Terms

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AP BIOLOGY Changes in energy resources, 11
also affects the size of trophic
2.A.1 (f)
levels by limiting the amount of
Free Energy overall available energy.

Key Terms For example:

• If sunlight decreases, less

energy is available for
photosynthesis.

• Then, organisms in higher

trophic levels have less energy
available.

• The size of each trophic level

decreases.

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AP BIOLOGY Approximately 10% of energy is tranferred between each trophic 12
level. So, the amount of energy available at higher levels is
2.A.1 (f)
determined by the amount contained within lower levels.
Free Energy
Key Terms

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AP BIOLOGY In organisms, order is maintained by coupling exergonic processes 13
with endergonic processes. This maintains levels of free energy
2.A.1 (b)
within the living system.
Free Energy
Key Terms

Endergonic

Exergonic

• Exergonic reactions increase • Endergonic reactions

entropy, which results in decrease entropy, which
negative changes in free results in positives changes
energy in free energy
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AP BIOLOGY Energetically favorable energetic reactions with a negative change 14
in free energy can be used to maintain or increase order in a system
2.A.1 (b)
by being coupled with reactions with positive changes.
Free Energy
Key Terms

Endergonic

Exergonic

Energy released by one reaction can be used by another. This

maintains overall order.
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20.1 Oxidation and Reduction

Oxidation and Reduction

Balancing Redox Equations

Half-reactions
Oxidation Reduction Reactions

Reaction in which one or more electrons are transferred

The transfer of electrons results in a change of charge for the elements involved
OIL RIG (in terms of electrons)

OIL: Oxidation Is Losing

RIG: Reduction is Gaining

Oxidizing agent

The reactant that contains the element that is reduced

Reducing agent

The reactant that contains the element that is reduced