BiochemistryLesson 3 of 5 in the course Metabolism

The First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics in Living Systems

5 flashcards · 4 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 4 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Thermodynamics is the study of energy and how it moves or changes form. Understanding its basic terms and first law helps explain how organisms obtain and use energy.

A system is the matter and environment being considered in a particular energy-transfer situation. Everything outside the system is called the surroundings. For example, when heating water on a stove, the stove, pot, and water can be treated as the system; the surrounding room is outside it.

All flashcards

What does thermodynamics study?
Energy and how it moves or changes form.
What are a system and its surroundings?
A system is the matter and environment under consideration; its surroundings are everything outside it.
What distinguishes an open system?
It can exchange both energy and matter with its surroundings.
State the first law of thermodynamics.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be transferred or transformed.
Why is ATP useful to cells?
It provides readily accessible energy for cellular work.

Quiz questions

  1. Which statement expresses the first law of thermodynamics?Answer: Energy can change form or location, but the total amount is conserved.
  2. What does the second law of thermodynamics state about energy transformations?Answer: They increase the entropy of the universe.
  3. How can an organism maintain internal organization without violating the second law?Answer: It takes in energy and matter and releases heat and materials to its surroundings.
  4. How does ATP connect energy in food molecules with cellular work?Answer: Chemical reactions transfer some energy from food molecules to ATP.

Based on Biology 2e by Mary Ann Clark, Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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