Thermodynamics in an important consideration in understanding energy metabolism

Question

Thermodynamics in an important consideration in understanding energy metabolism in biological processes.  Free energy, G, is the amount of energy available for work, and is related to the total energy (enthalpy), H, and disorder, S (entropy).  

Several pathogenic bacteria secrete toxins that degrade DNA of their hosts into small fragments of DNA.

1. Which contains the highest S value, the intact DNA or the small DNA fragments? (1 point)

2.  Explain your answer to question 1 (1 point).

3. Do you predict that the degradation of the host DNA by the pathogen has a positive or negative ?G? (1 point)

Consider a reaction that involves a DNA polymer and thousands of nucleotides.   

4. Describe a reaction with these components that would be endergonic. Indicate which component would be the substrate, and which component would be the product. (1 point)

Please number your answers.

Explanation / Answer

1. The small DNA fragments have highest S value.

2. Entropy, S, is a quantitative measure for the disorder in a system. When the products of a reaction are less complex and more disordered than the reactants, then the reaction gains entropy. Hence, according to the given statement, small DNA fragments are less complex, and hence gains entropy.

3. Yes, degradation of the host DNA by the pathogens has negative delta G value. This is because, breakdown of complex molecules generally release energy.

4. The endergonic reaction is polymerization, because DNA requires energy, it does not produce energy. Here, nucleotides are the substrate, and DNA polymer is the product.

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