1. According to the laws of thermodynamics, when the leaves in a compost pile de
ID: 33982 • Letter: 1
Question
1. According to the laws of thermodynamics, when the leaves in a compost pile decay: A) what happens to the mass of that pile of leaves? B) What happens to the energy contained in those leaves? (hint consider that eaves are mostly cellulose, which is a polymer of D-glucose, and composting is done by microorganism) 2. A) Explain how can cells perform endergonic reactions (those that need energy in order to proceed). B) Explain the function of ATP in the cells. 3. Some animals cannot regulate their body temperature, such as some fish species, but spend times in cold and warm waters. Do you think the change in temperature will affect the animal?s physiology? Base your explanation on what you?ve learned about enzymatic activity. 4. Cyanide poisoning causes a type of hypoxia by inhibiting cytochrome c oxidase, which is the very last protein in the electron transport chain. A) Explain how/why cyanide inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase interferes with cellular respiration. B) Does the cell have any alternative to keep glycolysis going? C) Explain the purpose of oxygen in respiration. 5. Explain what would happen to ATP production in a mitochondrion that has leaky membranes, which would allow protons to diffuse through. Explain and compare to ATP production in a normal cell. 6. Fatty acids are known to be more efficient than carbohydrates at storing energy. A) Compare the net number of ATPs produced from a glucose molecule and a 6-carbon fatty acid. B) Explain the main steps in the energy harvesting process for both molecules and how they relate to the differences in ATP produced. C) Apply what you know about fatty acid metabolism to explain why aerobic exercise is recommended over anaerobic exercise for weight loss.Explanation / Answer
1 A) First of all we need to know the actual meaning of decay. Decay in biological aspect is a process which denotes the break down or decomposition of any organic or matter to a much simpler and smaller component(s) by the action of microbes. As the decay process starts in a pile of leaves the mass of the pile gradually decreases. This mass is generally emitted in the environment in form of Carbon-dioxide, water vapour, Methane etc. and evolution of these gases increase the overall entropy of the system, which follows the second law of thermodynamics (i.e. any isolated system which is not in thermal equilibrium with its surrounding shows an increases in entropy.)
B) As per the first law of thermodynamics, which states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. The energy contained in the decaying leaves is liberated back in the environment in following ways:
i) Major part of the energy is liberated in form of heat.
ii) Some part of the energy contained in leaves is utilized by the microbes decomposing the leaves.
2 A) The metabolic energy circulation cycle in the cell is a comparatively complex process although may seem simple to some. Cells constantly synthesise and store glucose, which acts as metabolic fuel in the cells. Whenever cells need to perform an endergonic reaction that requires high amount of energy, the cellular machinery (mitochondria) comes in action and starts breaking down glucose to produce desired amount of energy. Apart from this simple mechanism of utilising stored glucose, cells also triggers various pathways which synthesise glucose from different intermediate metabolite. Once the need of energy in cell is decreased or the endergonic reaction is over cell again establish its normal pathway of storing glucose.
B) ATP or Adenosine triphosphate is the energy currency of the cell, and it utilised in all the processes taking place in cell which require energy (i.e. practically everything in the cell). Some of such processes are listed below:
i) Cellular locomotion (movement of actin myosin filaments)
ii) Transport (Active transport)
iii) Cell signalling (intra as well as extracellular)
iv) DNA and RNA synthesis
v) Protein synthesis
vi) Activation of function proteins (phosphorylation and de phosphorylation). And,
vii) Almost all the chemical reactions taking place in cell require ATP in at least one step.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.