Questions and Answers
What is the first law of thermodynamics?
The first law of thermodynamics is a version of the law of conservation of energy, stating that energy can be transformed from one form to another, but can neither be created nor destroyed.
What is the second law of thermodynamics?
The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of an isolated system can only increase over time.
How is energy transferred from one substance to another?
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What is the difference between exergonic and endergonic reactions?
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What is the function of ATP in the cell?
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What is the function of enzymes in biological systems?
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What is the difference between potential energy and kinetic energy?
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How is energy defined in physics?
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What is metabolism?
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What is entropy?
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How do living organisms comply with the second law of thermodynamics?
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What is the structure of ATP?
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How does ATP function in the cell?
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What is phosphorylation?
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What is the ATP-ADP cycle?
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What is activation energy?
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What are the functions of enzymes in biological systems?
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What is the induced fit model of enzyme function?
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What is the relationship between a substrate and an active site?
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Study Notes
Thermodynamics and Energy
- First Law of Thermodynamics: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. It emphasizes conservation of energy, crucial for understanding energy dynamics in ecosystems (e.g., plants converting solar energy into glucose).
- Second Law of Thermodynamics: In isolated systems, total entropy (disorder) can only increase over time, exemplifying the spontaneity of energy transformations towards equilibrium.
Energy Transfer and Chemical Reactions
- Energy Transfer: Energy moves between substances through processes like heat transfer, work done by or on a substance, or energy conservation.
- Exergonic vs. Endergonic Reactions: Exergonic reactions release energy with reactants having higher potential energy than products; endergonic reactions require energy input and result in products with higher potential energy, such as photosynthesis.
ATP and Enzymes
- Function of ATP: Known as the "molecular currency," ATP is vital for energy transfer within cells, powering essential activities and metabolic processes.
- Function of Enzymes: Enzymes are proteins that accelerate chemical reactions, crucial for digestion, metabolism, and overall cellular function by lowering activation energy and increasing reaction rates.
Energy Types and Definitions
- Potential Energy: Energy stored due to an object's position or configuration, independent of its surroundings.
- Kinetic Energy: Energy of motion, influenced by an object's speed and the relative motion of other objects.
Additional Definitions
- Metabolism: The sum of all chemical reactions in living organisms that sustain life.
- Entropy: A measure of disorder in a system, related to heat and the energy unavailability for work; reflects the randomness in molecular motion.
Living Systems and Entropy
- Organismal Entropy: Living organisms maintain low entropy through organized structures, yet they contribute to the overall increase of entropy in the universe by releasing thermal energy. The Earth is not isolated; it receives solar energy, enabling life while complying with thermodynamic laws.
ATP Structure and Function
- Structure of ATP: Composed of adenine (a nitrogenous base), ribose (a sugar backbone), and a chain of three phosphate groups. This structure allows ATP to store and transfer energy effectively.
- ATP Function in Cells: ATP releases energy through the hydrolysis of its phosphate bonds, making it essential for energy-requiring cellular processes.
Other Important Terms
- Phosphorylation: The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule, often activating or deactivating substrates in metabolic pathways.
- Activation Energy: The energy necessary to initiate a chemical reaction, which enzymes help lower to accelerate reactions.
Enzyme Function Models
- Induced Fit Model: Describes how enzymes adjust their shape to better fit substrates, enhancing the specificity and efficiency of enzyme-substrate interactions.
- Active Site and Substrate Relationship: Enzymes have specific active sites where substrates bind, forming enzyme-substrate complexes that lead to biochemical reactions.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts from Biology 156, Chapter 5. This quiz focuses on important thermodynamics principles, including the first law of thermodynamics. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of energy conservation in biological systems.
