Chapter 21, Problem 132AE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The existence of proteins and nucleic acids on basis of the second law of thermodynamics is to be justified.

Concept introduction: Proteins are large molecules which are composed of long chains of amino acids and nucleic acids are biopolymers composed of nucleotides. The polar and non-polar components of proteins and nucleic acid provide thermodynamic stability to their structure. From the second law of thermodynamics the change in entropy that is $\Delta S$ should be positive.

To determine: The existence of proteins and nucleic acids on basis of the second law of thermodynamics.