Energy and Life

Front

What is the First Law of Thermodynamics?

Back

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Front

Define Enthalpy (H).

Back

Enthalpy is a measure of the total heat content of a system, used to calculate the heat change in a reaction.

Front

What is the formula for calculating the change in Enthalpy (ΔH) in a biochemical reaction?

Back

ΔH = H(products) - H(reactants).

Front

What does a negative ΔH indicate in a reaction?

Back

A negative ΔH indicates that the reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases heat.

Front

What is Entropy (S)?

Back

Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system.

Front

What is Gibbs Free Energy (G)?

Back

Gibbs Free Energy is a thermodynamic potential that measures the maximum reversible work obtainable from a system at constant temperature and pressure.

Front

What is the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

Back

The Second Law states that the total entropy of an isolated system can never decrease over time.

Front

What is the heat energy transfer formula used in biological systems?

Back

Q = mcΔT, where Q is the heat energy transferred, m is the mass, c is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

Front

What is the specific heat capacity of water at 25°C?

Back

Approximately 4,186 J/kg⋅°C.

Front

How much energy is required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1°C?

Back

4,186 Joules.