An example of an exergonic reaction is the reduction of acetylaldehyde, represented by the formula C2H4O + 2e- + 2H+ ----> C2H6O. In biological systems, this reaction is coupled with the endergonic oxidation of NADH, represented as NADH + H+ ----> NAD+ + 2e- + 2H+. The oxidation of NADH is vital for the process of cell respiration, so this reaction coupling is vital to most every organism. The combined equation for the coupled reaction is C2H4O + NADH + H+ ----> C2H6O + NAD+. Below are the energy graphs for the reduction of acetylaldehyde (left) and the oxidation of NADH (right).
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