Choose the pair of terms that correctly completes this sentence: Catabolism is to anabolism as is to .a. exergonic; spontaneousb. exergonic; endergonicc. free energy; entropyd. work; energy

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the definitions of catabolism and anabolism: Catabolism involves breaking down molecules to release energy, while anabolism involves building up molecules, which requires energy.
2. Recognize the type of reactions: Catabolic reactions are typically exergonic, meaning they release energy, whereas anabolic reactions are endergonic, meaning they require energy input.
3. Match the terms: Since catabolism is to anabolism as exergonic is to endergonic, identify the pair that reflects this relationship.
4. Review the options: Look for the pair that correctly associates catabolism with exergonic and anabolism with endergonic.
5. Select the correct answer: Choose the option that pairs exergonic with endergonic, reflecting the relationship between catabolism and anabolism.

Key Concepts

Catabolism and Anabolism

Catabolism refers to the metabolic pathways that break down molecules into smaller units, releasing energy in the process. In contrast, anabolism involves the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy input. Understanding the relationship between these two processes is crucial for grasping metabolic functions in biological systems.

Exergonic and Endergonic Reactions

Exergonic reactions are those that release energy, often associated with catabolic processes, while endergonic reactions require an input of energy, typical of anabolic processes. This distinction is essential for understanding how energy transformations occur in biological systems and how they relate to metabolic pathways.

Free Energy

Free energy, often denoted as Gibbs free energy, is a thermodynamic quantity that indicates the amount of energy available to do work in a system at constant temperature and pressure. It plays a critical role in determining the spontaneity of reactions, where a decrease in free energy indicates a spontaneous process, aligning with catabolic reactions, while an increase indicates non-spontaneity, typical of anabolic reactions.