Some reactions need energy to take place, while others release energy when they occur. Depending on whether the energy is needed by the reaction or released by the reaction, a given reaction can be called either exergonic or endergonic.
When energy has to be supplied in order for a reaction to take place, such a reaction is called an endergonic or endothermic reaction. In comparison, if energy is released as a consequence of the reaction, such a reaction is called an exergonic reaction or an exothermic reaction.
For example, the burning of gasoline in a car's engine is an exergonic or exothermic reaction. The formation of complex molecules by our body from simple reactants is an example of endergonic or endothermic reaction. Photosynthesis is another example of endergonic reaction. Since energy needs to be supplied, endergonic reactions are non-spontaneous reactions, unlike exergonic reactions, which are spontaneous.
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