What type of energy flow in chemical reactions results in the absorption of energy?

The absorption of energy in chemical reactions is characteristic of endergonic reactions. In an endergonic reaction, the products possess more energy than the reactants, which indicates that energy must be supplied to drive the reaction forward. This energy input can come in various forms, such as heat or light, and is necessary to overcome the energy barrier for the reaction to proceed.

In contrast, exergonic reactions release energy, resulting in products that have lower energy than the reactants. Oxidative reactions involve the transfer of electrons but do not specifically describe energy absorption or release; they can be part of both exergonic and endergonic processes, depending on the context. Catabolic reactions generally break down molecules and often release energy, classifying them as exergonic rather than endergonic. Therefore, identifying energy absorption specifically leads to the conclusion that endergonic reactions are the focus in this context.