Which of the following statements is representative of the second law of thermodynamics? Heat represents a form of energy that can be used by most organisms to do work. Conversion of energy from one form to another is always accompanied by some gain of free energy. Cells require a constant input of energy to maintain their high level of organization. Without an input of energy, organisms would tend toward decreasing entropy. Every energy transformation by a cell decreases the entropy of the universe.

Question

Physics

Buchanan

3 September, 12:23

Which of the following statements is representative of the second law of thermodynamics? Heat represents a form of energy that can be used by most organisms to do work. Conversion of energy from one form to another is always accompanied by some gain of free energy. Cells require a constant input of energy to maintain their high level of organization. Without an input of energy, organisms would tend toward decreasing entropy. Every energy transformation by a cell decreases the entropy of the universe.

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Answers (1)

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Justin Kennedy · Answer 1

Answer: Cells require a constant input of energy to maintain their high level of organization.

Explanation:

According to the second principle of thermodynamics:

"The amount of entropy in the universe tends to increase over time ".

That is, in any cyclic process, entropy will increase, or remain the same.

So, in this context, entropy is a thermodynamic quantity defined as a criterion to predict the evolution or transformation of thermodynamic systems. In addition, it is used to measure the degree of organization of a system.

In other words: Entropy is the measure of the disorder of a system and is a function of state.

Now, in the specific case of cells, in order to maintain their high level of organization, which goes against the natural tendency to disorder, a constant input of energy is necessary to maintain that level.