
Concept explainers
Explain how the highly ordered structure of a cell does not conflict with the second law of

To explain: The way in which a cell’s highly ordered structure is not against the “second law of thermodynamics”.
Introduction: Thermodynamics refers to the study of the transformation of energy, which occurs in a collection of matter. It comprises of a word “system” (study state matter) and the other as “surroundings” (rest of the universe). The second law of thermodynamics states that “Heat does not flow spontaneously from a colder region to a hotter region and the total entropy cannot decrease, only increase”.
Explanation of Solution
According to the second law of thermodynamics, the living system increases the entropy of the surroundings. The cells create structures that are highly ordered from the less organized materials. For example, the simple molecules form the amino acids and amino acids further form the polypeptide chains. The organized forms of energy and matter are obtained by an organism from the environment and it replaces them with the less ordered forms.
As the smaller molecules are broken down by the catabolic pathways, animals release water and carbon dioxide. Therefore, the energy on a larger scale flows into many ecosystems as light and is released as heat. At the time of early history, it was said that from the simpler ancestors, the complex organisms were formed. Hence, this organizational structure is not a violation of the thermodynamics second law.
The organizational increase of the complexity of organisms does not violate the second law of thermodynamics.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 8 Solutions
Campbell Biology (10th Edition)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Biological Science (6th Edition)
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (3rd Edition)
The Cosmic Perspective (8th Edition)
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
SEELEY'S ANATOMY+PHYSIOLOGY
Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology (11th Edition)
- What did the Cre-lox system used in the Kikuchi et al. 2010 heart regeneration experiment allow researchers to investigate? What was the purpose of the cmlc2 promoter? What is CreER and why was it used in this experiment? If constitutively active Cre was driven by the cmlc2 promoter, rather than an inducible CreER system, what color would you expect new cardiomyocytes in the regenerated area to be no matter what? Why?arrow_forwardWhat kind of organ size regulation is occurring when you graft multiple organs into a mouse and the graft weight stays the same?arrow_forwardWhat is the concept "calories consumed must equal calories burned" in regrads to nutrition?arrow_forward
- You intend to insert patched dominant negative DNA into the left half of the neural tube of a chick. 1) Which side of the neural tube would you put the positive electrode to ensure that the DNA ends up on the left side? 2) What would be the internal (within the embryo) control for this experiment? 3) How can you be sure that the electroporation method itself is not impacting the embryo? 4) What would you do to ensure that the electroporation is working? How can you tell?arrow_forwardDescribe a method to document the diffusion path and gradient of Sonic Hedgehog through the chicken embryo. If modifying the protein, what is one thing you have to consider in regards to maintaining the protein’s function?arrow_forwardThe following table is from Kumar et. al. Highly Selective Dopamine D3 Receptor (DR) Antagonists and Partial Agonists Based on Eticlopride and the D3R Crystal Structure: New Leads for Opioid Dependence Treatment. J. Med Chem 2016.arrow_forward
- The following figure is from Caterina et al. The capsaicin receptor: a heat activated ion channel in the pain pathway. Nature, 1997. Black boxes indicate capsaicin, white circles indicate resinferatoxin. You are a chef in a fancy new science-themed restaurant. You have a recipe that calls for 1 teaspoon of resinferatoxin, but you feel uncomfortable serving foods with "toxins" in them. How much capsaicin could you substitute instead?arrow_forwardWhat protein is necessary for packaging acetylcholine into synaptic vesicles?arrow_forward1. Match each vocabulary term to its best descriptor A. affinity B. efficacy C. inert D. mimic E. how drugs move through body F. how drugs bind Kd Bmax Agonist Antagonist Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamicsarrow_forward
- Biology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781337392938Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. BergPublisher:Cengage LearningHuman Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...BiologyISBN:9781285866932Author:Lauralee SherwoodPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Biology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStaxBiology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...BiologyISBN:9781305117396Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa StarrPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305389892Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning





