The change in energy of a system can be described by the equation H = TS + G. In

Question

The change in energy of a system can be described by the equation H = TS + G. In organisms, H is equivalent to an organism’s total energy and is proportional to the organism’s dry mass.

Explain what S and G represent.

Assume that the temperature and mass of an organism remain constant and the organism transfers energy from one molecule to another. Based on the 2nd law of thermodynamics, predict how you expect this effect to G and S for the organism?

The total entropy and energy of adult organisms generally remains constant. Juvenile offspring actually increase energy and decrease in entropy. Considering the 2nd law of thermodynamics and your answer for part b), how can you explain this?

Explanation / Answer

THe S is the entropy that is the energy of disorder of molecules while G is the free energy which is the minimised energy of a reaction to reach equillibrium.

According to the second law of thermodynamics the entropy of an universe (isolated system) is always increasing and can never be negative.

Since the enthalpy is constant in the isolated system, and the randomness of the molecules keep on increasing, then the S will increasie.

H = TS + G in this formula if the S value will increase, then the at given conditions the G will decrease. This means the reaction will be drive in forward direction because it will require less free energy to carry out the reaction. This will make the reaction more spontaneous.

Yes this is true that adult has stable and constant enthalpy and entropy, while the juvenile has low entropy and increasing energy. In juvenile the maximum energy is to be utilised in the growth of the child, so a minimum entropy will save the energy of the child and increased enthalpy will promote growth.

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