Heat energy

Definition

Heat energy is the transfer of thermal energy between substances due to a temperature difference. It plays a vital role in biological processes, including metabolism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Heat energy is essential for maintaining body temperature and metabolic rates in organisms.
2. In biological systems, heat energy can be generated through cellular respiration and other metabolic processes.
3. The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed; this includes heat energy.
4. Heat energy can affect enzyme activity by influencing the kinetic energy of molecules, thus impacting reaction rates.
5. Excessive heat can denature proteins, disrupting cellular functions and leading to cell damage or death.

Review Questions

Related terms

Potential Energy:

Stored energy that an object possesses due to its position or state.

Kinetic Energy: The energy an object possesses due to its motion.

Activation Energy: The minimum amount of energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.