Mastering Biology with Pearson eText -- Standalone Access Card -- for Campbell Biology (10th Edition)
Mastering Biology with Pearson eText -- Standalone Access Card -- for Campbell Biology (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN: 9780321833143
Author: Jane B. Reece, Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain, Steven A. Wasserman, Peter V. Minorsky, Robert B. Jackson
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 8, Problem 8.1CR

Explain how the highly ordered structure of a cell does not conflict with the second law of thermodynamics.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

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.

Conclusion

The organizational increase of the complexity of organisms does not violate the second law of thermodynamics.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Find out about the organisations and the movements aimed at the conservation of our natural resources. Eg Chipko movement and Greenpeace. Make a project report on such an organisation.
What are biofertilizers and mention the significance
PCBs and River Otters: Otters in Washington State’s Green-Duwamish River have high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their livers. PCBs can bind to the estrogen receptors in animals and disrupt the endocrine system of these otters. The PCBs seem to increase the estrogen to androgen ratio, skewing the ratio toward too much estrogen.     How would increased estrogen affect the river otter population? Based on your reading of the materials in this unit, what factors can affect fertility in humans?   Explain how each of the factors affecting human fertility that you described can disrupt the human endocrine system to affect reproduction.

Chapter 8 Solutions

Mastering Biology with Pearson eText -- Standalone Access Card -- for Campbell Biology (10th Edition)

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
Biology
ISBN:9781305967359
Author:STARR
Publisher:CENGAGE L
Text book image
Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...
Biology
ISBN:9781285866932
Author:Lauralee Sherwood
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...
Biology
ISBN:9781305117396
Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305389892
Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Anaerobic Respiration; Author: Bozeman Science;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDC29iBxb3w;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY