exergonicity

Exergonicity is a term used in chemistry and biology to describe a reaction or process that releases energy. The term is derived from the Greek words "exo," meaning outside, and "ergon," meaning work. In an exergonic reaction, the products have less energy than the reactants, and the excess energy is released in the form of heat or other forms of energy. This energy release is often used to drive other processes in the cell or system. Exergonic reactions are spontaneous and do not require an input of energy to proceed. They are the opposite of endothermic reactions, which absorb energy. Exergonicity is a key concept in understanding the directionality of chemical reactions and the flow of energy in biological systems. It is also used in the study of thermodynamics, where it is often referred to as a negative Gibbs free energy change.