In my biology class I am learning about the transfer of energy and the metabolic pathways of life. Major components of metabolic pathways are reactions, endergonic and exergonic reactions. Exergonic reactions are the break down of larger molecules into smaller molecules which releases energy. This energy released by the exergonic reaction can fuel an endogonic reaction. An endogonic reaction builds a larger molecule using the energy released by the exergonic reaction. The way these two processes (exergonic and endogonic reactions) work together is called energy coupling meaning that one reaction fuels (or gives rise to) the next reaction.
The best way I found to understand this energy coupling was to relate it to my life right now. Right now college is my life. It is what I am looking foward to and what will be the reward for the hard work I put into my four years in high school. With the pressure of senior year, as expressed in previous posts, I've found myself in difficult times where everything is just too overwhelming and I just break down. In the midst of trying to find a way to cheer myself up I found myself thinking about energy coupling. I was experiencing a meltdown (or a breakdown) but that was only the beggining of something great. I had to release that bad energy in order to fuel a major build up, my redemption. I realized that my fustration and stress over college was only the first step in a process and once I convert that energy into good energy I can build myself up even better than before.
I always find it helpful to make an analogy in order to help me understand or memorize difficult concepts. Have you ever made an analogy to help yourseld remember or understanding something?
