Bioenergetics-Mod 2

Bioenergetics is a branch of biochemistry that focuses on energy and energy supply in

biological systems. Bioenergetics is the part of biochemistry concerned with the energy
involved in making and breaking of chemical bonds in the molecules found in
biological organisms.
Thermodynamic laws provide the framework for bioenergetics
From a thermodynamic point of view, energy is the capacity of a system to perform work. In
biological and non-biological systems, energy behaves following the laws of
thermodynamics, which are:
Energy Conservation
Energy conservation is regarded as the first law of thermodynamics, which stipulates
that energy is conserved. This means that energy readily exists and can neither be created nor
destroyed. In other words, energy is transformed from one form to another or transferred from
one system to another.
In thermodynamics, a system can be classified based on the exchange of energy and materials
with another system as follows:
• An isolated system is a system that does not exchange any material or energy with
its surroundings or another system. The universe is thought to be the only true
isolated system.
• A closed system refers to a system that does not lose or gain materials from other
systems, but energy can be exchanged with the surrounding.
• An open system is classified as a system that exchanges both its material and
energy to other systems.

Entropy Expansion
The second law of thermodynamics states that only processes that increase the
system entropy occur spontaneously.
As a result, reactions occur spontaneously only when they
increase disorderliness or randomness (entropy) in the system and its surroundings.

Breaking down molecules, releases energy and that making new molecules (going against the
natural tendency towards disorder) requires energy. Every molecule has an intrinsic energy,
and therefore whenever a molecule is involved in a chemical reaction, there will be a change
in the energy of the resulting molecule(s). Some of this change in the energy of the system will
be usable to do work, and that energy is referred to as the free energy of the reaction. The
remainder is given off as heat.

The Gibbs equation describes this relationship as

ΔG=ΔH−TΔS

where ΔG is the change in free energy, ΔH is the change in enthalpy (roughly equivalent to
heat), T is the temperature at which the reaction takes place, and ΔS is the change in entropy.
As a matter of convention, release of free energy is a negative number

Enthalpy, the sum of the internal energy and the product of the pressure and volume of
a thermodynamic system. Enthalpy is an energy-like property or state function—it has the
dimensions of energy (and is thus measured in units of joules or ergs), and its value is
determined entirely by the temperature, pressure, and composition of the system and not by its
history. In symbols, the enthalpy, H, equals the sum of the internal energy, E, and the product
of the pressure, P, and volume, V, of the system: H = E + PV.

Laws of Bioenergetics

Apart from the thermodynamic laws that provide the framework for bioenergetics, energetic
cellular reactions also follow additional laws:

1. Living cells use energy carriers.

The first bioenergetics law states that living cells do not use the acquired energy directly.
Instead, the energy received from external sources is first converted into energy carriers before
performing cellular works.
Example: ATP, H+, Na+.

2. Living cells use at least two forms of energy carriers

The second law of bioenergetics states that all biological systems have at least two forms of
energy carriers.
3. The cellular energy carriers are interconvertible.

The third law of bioenergetics is expanded from the second law. It stipulates that energy carriers
in one form can be converted to other forms that exist in the cells.
In short, ATP can be converted to potential differences of hydrogen ions or sodium ions
and vice versa.

Types of Bioenergetic Reactions

Bioenergetic reactions can be classified based on energy usage as follows:

1. Exergonic Reactions
Exergonic reactions refer to chemical reactions that release free energy when they are
complete. Hence, exergonic reactions can occur spontaneously in a closed system subjected to
stable temperature and pressure.
From a metabolic point of view, exergonic reactions are in the catabolic branch, where
macromolecules are dissimilated to smaller units. For example, starch and glycogen are broken
down into glucose, their basic monomeric units.

2. Endergonic Reactions
In contrast to exergonic reactions, endergonic reactions are processes that consume energy.
This sort of reaction will not occur in a thermostable closed system under constant pressure
unless a sufficient amount of energy is given to the system.
From a metabolic point of view, endergonic reactions are anabolic. In anabolism, the energy
released from catabolic reactions supplies the required energy for the synthesis of
biomolecules.
Macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids are polymer chains
that store energy in living cells. They are eventually used as reactants in catabolic reactions to
supply the cells with energy.

Examples of major bioenergetic processes

1. Chemiosmosis: ATP Synthesis and Hydrolysis
2. Cellular Respiration (Glycolysis, The Citric (Tricarboxylic) Acid Cycle, Oxidative
Phosphorylation etc.)
3. Photosynthesis

Importance of Bioenergetics

The conversion of energy for cellular activities is a vital process in any biological system.
Failure to supply the required energy or excessive energy is consequential to the well-being of
the organisms. Moreover, deficiency in the functioning of bioenergetic-related proteins can
result in tremendous outcomes.
For instance:
• OXPHOS diseases refer to disorders that result from disruptions or defects in
oxidative phosphorylation, such as the activity of enzymes. Examples of OXPHOS
diseases include Leigh Syndrome, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder,
and Mohr-Tranebjærg syndrome, also known as Deafness-dystonia-optic
neuronopathy (DDON) syndrome. DDON is an early hearing loss condition that is
associated with impaired vision and motor movement.[8]
• Aging, according to the free-radical theory of aging, results from the deterioration
of bioenergetics activity.
• Bioenergetics can assist industrial microorganisms in the optimization of relevant
industrial processes. For example, in baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae),
the conditions and environment of the culture system are adjusted to optimize
alcohol fermentation.
Metabolism
Metabolism encompasses the various biochemical processes, reactions, and conversions that
transform one form of energy to another.

Types of Metabolism
There are basically 2 types of metabolism that must be very clear by
now: anabolism (synthesis) and catabolism (degradation). Look at the table below to learn
some major differences between the two types of metabolism.

Table 3: Difference between anabolism and catabolism

Criteria Anabolism Catabolism

Process Synthesis process Breakdown process

(Constructive) (Destructive)
ATP Required Released
requirement

Energy-wise Endergonic Exergonic

Oxygen No Yes
utilization

Important role Growth and development, Digestion,

in bone mineralization, etc respiration, etc.