Enzymes & Metabolism Week 2

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Questions and Answers

What does the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics state about energy transfers?

Energy transfers can occur without any loss of energy.

Energy transfers increase the entropy of the universe. (correct)

Energy transfers decrease the entropy of the universe.

Energy transfers are 100% efficient.

What happens to energy during an energy transfer according to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics?

The amount of usable energy increases in a closed system.

Some energy becomes unusable and is often lost as heat. (correct)

All energy is transformed into kinetic energy.

Energy is never lost; it is always conserved.

What is entropy a measure of?

Randomness and disorder in a system. (correct)

The efficiency of energy transfers.

The total energy of a system.

The amount of usable energy in a system.

Which process is considered energetically favorable according to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics?

Spontaneous processes that increase entropy. Signup and view all the answers

What by-products of metabolism contribute to entropy according to the example provided?

Heat and carbon dioxide. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the order of a system when more energy is lost to its surroundings?

The order decreases, and entropy increases. Signup and view all the answers

What does a high entropy in a system indicate?

High disorder and low energy Signup and view all the answers

What type of free energy change is associated with spontaneous processes?

Negative ∆G Signup and view all the answers

In the Gibbs Free Energy equation, what does the term T represent?

Temperature in absolute units Signup and view all the answers

How does free energy change relate to stability in a living system?

Decreased free energy leads to increased stability Signup and view all the answers

What occurs at maximum stability of a system?

The system has reached equilibrium Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a spontaneous process have on the free energy of a system?

Free energy decreases Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT included in the Gibbs Free Energy equation?

Total energy (E) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the order in a system when entropy increases?

Order in the system decreases Signup and view all the answers

What defines metabolism within an organism?

Totality of an organism's chemical reactions Signup and view all the answers

Which process is an example of a catabolic pathway?

Cellular respiration breaking down glucose Signup and view all the answers

What is the emergent property of life that arises from molecular interactions within cells?

Metabolism Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following examples does an organism convert energy to light?

Bioluminescence in fireflies Signup and view all the answers

Which type of metabolic pathway consumes energy?

Anabolic pathways Signup and view all the answers

What role do enzymes play in metabolic pathways?

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of energy?

The capacity to cause change Signup and view all the answers

Which type of energy is associated with the movement of atoms and molecules?

Thermal energy Signup and view all the answers

What does the first law of thermodynamics state?

Energy can be transferred and transformed but not created or destroyed Signup and view all the answers

Which energy form is defined as being available for release in a chemical reaction?

Chemical energy Signup and view all the answers

When a diver jumps from a diving platform, what type of energy is primarily converted during the dive?

Potential energy to kinetic energy Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a diver's potential energy when they enter the water?

It decreases compared to the platform Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes kinetic energy?

Energy resulting from motion Signup and view all the answers

In the context of energy transformation, what does the term 'potential energy' refer to?

Stored energy that can be converted into kinetic energy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Cellular Energy

Living cells function as miniature chemical factories, performing thousands of reactions.
Cells extract and utilize energy to perform work.
Some organisms, like firefly squids and Mycena mushrooms, convert energy into light through bioluminescence.

Metabolism and Thermodynamics

Metabolism encompasses the total chemical reactions in an organism, transforming matter and energy.
Metabolic processes are governed by thermodynamic laws and result from molecular interactions within cells.

Metabolic Pathways

Catabolic pathways: Release energy by breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones (e.g., cellular respiration breaking down glucose).
Anabolic pathways: Consume energy to synthesize complex molecules from simpler substances (e.g., protein synthesis from amino acids).

Forms of Energy

Energy is the capacity to cause change and exists in various forms, including:
- Potential energy: Related to an object's position or structure.
- Kinetic energy: Associated with motion.
- Thermal energy: Kinetic energy from random atomic/molecular movement.
- Chemical energy: Potential energy available for release in chemical reactions.

Laws of Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics studies energy transformations.
First law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed.
Second law: Every energy transfer increases the universe's entropy, making it more disordered.

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy conservation principle: Energy can change forms but remains constant in total amount.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Energy transformations result in increased entropy (randomness) in the universe.
Some energy becomes unusable and is lost as heat during transformations.
Spontaneous processes increase entropy and do not require energy input.

Entropy and Energy

High entropy indicates high disorder and low energy; low entropy reflects more order and higher energy states.

Measure of Entropy: Gibb’s Free Energy

Gibb's Free Energy equation: ΔG = ΔH - TΔS, where:
- ΔG: Change in free energy.
- ΔH: Change in enthalpy (heat content).
- T: Absolute temperature in Kelvin.
- ΔS: Change in entropy.
Processes with negative ΔG are spontaneous and can perform work.

Free Energy, Stability, and Equilibrium

Free energy in living systems enables work under cellular conditions.
Spontaneous processes decrease free energy (negative ΔG) and increase stability.
Maximum stability, or equilibrium, occurs when a system has reached the lowest possible free energy where no net work can be done.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of enzymes and metabolism, focusing on the energy dynamics within living cells. Explore how cells extract and utilize energy, including fascinating phenomena like bioluminescence. Gain insights into the totality of chemical reactions that define an organism's metabolism.