BIO-302 | Thermodynamics & Cellular Energy
Master Study Guide — ATP, Enzymes, and Energy
Transformations (2025 Edition)
Law of Thermodynamics - The study of transformations in matter.
1st Law - Energy cannot be created or destroyed, energy can be transferred or transformed
Ex: Eating food, the potential energy in the food is transformed into kinetic energy for the
organism.
2nd Law - Energy transformation increases the entropy (disorder) of the universe, during energy
transfers or transformation some energy is unstable and often lost as heat.
Ex: As a squirrel climbs a tree it releases energy as heat.
Types of Chemical Reactions - Exergonic and Endergonic.
Exergonic Reaction - Reactions the release energy
Ex: Cellular Respiration
Endergonic Reaction - Reactions that absorb energy
Ex: Photosynthesis
3 Types of Work that Cells Preform - Mechanical, Transport, and Chemical
ATP - Molecule that organisms use as a source of energy to perform work.
Structures in ATP - -Adenine
-Ribose
Master Study Guide — ATP, Enzymes, and Energy
Transformations (2025 Edition)
Law of Thermodynamics - The study of transformations in matter.
1st Law - Energy cannot be created or destroyed, energy can be transferred or transformed
Ex: Eating food, the potential energy in the food is transformed into kinetic energy for the
organism.
2nd Law - Energy transformation increases the entropy (disorder) of the universe, during energy
transfers or transformation some energy is unstable and often lost as heat.
Ex: As a squirrel climbs a tree it releases energy as heat.
Types of Chemical Reactions - Exergonic and Endergonic.
Exergonic Reaction - Reactions the release energy
Ex: Cellular Respiration
Endergonic Reaction - Reactions that absorb energy
Ex: Photosynthesis
3 Types of Work that Cells Preform - Mechanical, Transport, and Chemical
ATP - Molecule that organisms use as a source of energy to perform work.
Structures in ATP - -Adenine
-Ribose
