ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we continue the investigation of chemical reactivity as it bears on the biochemical reactions necessary for the growth, reproduction, and repair and maintenance of living cells. Many of these reactions are equilibrium reactions-that is, reactions that do not go to completion. The role of free energy, ∆G, in determining equilibrium constants is examined. Also important to living organisms is the rate at which a reaction goes. This is controlled by the activation energy of the reaction. Organisms use enzymes to modify the activation energies of reactions and so control the rates at which reactions proceed.
