Introduction To Energy Transfer Flashcards
The second law of thermodynamics
The entropy of any isolated system not in thermal equilibrium almost always increases
The third law of thermodynamics
The entropy of a system approaches a constant value as the temperature approaches absolute zero
Forms of energy are?
Light Electrical Nuclear Heat Mechanical Chemical
The first law of thermodynamics
Energy cannot be created or destroyed it can only be converted into a different form
What are the most fundamental forms of energy conversion in living cells
Photosynthesis and respiration
Describe photosynthesis
The energy from sunlight (gamma radiation) is absorbed by the pigment chlorophyll, stored in large chloroplast organelles within a leafs cells. It uses radiant (solar) energy to synthesise glucose from carbon dioxide and water, while oxygen flows to the environment.
A plant converts carbohydrates into?
Lipids and proteins.
Why is it important that plants covert carbohydrates to lipids and proteins?
Animals ingest plants to support their own energy and growth needs
Define endergonic
Chemical reactions that store or absorb energy. Also known as uphill processes
Define exergonic
Any physical or chemical process that releases (frees) energy to its surrounding. Also known as downhill processes.
What does free energy determine?
The potential energy within a molecules chemical bonds
Free energy is described quantitatively as
G = H - TS
G is free energy
H is enthalpy
T is temperature
S is randomness
Define enthalpy
enthalpy is the amount of energy in a system capable of doing mechanical work
ATP stands for
Adenosine triphosphate
Work =
Force (F) ✖️ Distance (D)
W = F ✖️ D
