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Thermodynamic Control

Metabolic pathways are governed by thermodynamic principles, with reactions proceeding towards lower energy states and increased entropy.
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The statement of the theorem

For a metabolic pathway consisting of a series of reactions R1→R2→⋯→RkR_1 \to R_2 \to \dots \to R_k, the overall spontaneity and feasibility are governed by the change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG\Delta G). The total free energy change ΔGtotal\Delta G_{\text{total}} must be negative for the pathway to proceed spontaneously: \begin{equation} \Delta G_{\text{total}} = \sum_{i=1}^{k} \Delta G_i < 0 \end{equation}. Furthermore, the pathway must satisfy the conservation of energy and entropy, implying that the total change in entropy ΔStotal\Delta S_{\text{total}} must be positive, consistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics: \begin{equation} \Delta S_{\text{total}} = \frac{\Delta G_{\text{total}}}{T} > 0 \end{equation}.