Laws of thermodynamics in living systems Transitional Reasoning Practice

Questions

1. 1.

   During a metabolic experiment, researchers monitored the energy transformations of a heterotrophic organism actively synthesizing complex polysaccharides from simple glucose molecules in a controlled chamber. Although the internal molecular organization of the organism increased during this anabolic process, the total entropy of the system and its surroundings also increased. Which statement best explains this observation in terms of the laws of thermodynamics governing biological systems?

   • A) Living organisms violate the second law of thermodynamics by synthesizing orderly polymers without releasing heat.
   • B) Anabolic pathways create new energy from non-chemical sources to satisfy the conservation of energy principle.
   • C) The first law of thermodynamics requires that the internal entropy of an organism must always increase during metabolic reactions.
   • D) Biological systems maintain high internal order by coupling endergonic reactions to exergonic processes that disperse heat and waste to the surroundings.

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