Exam 6: Making Life Work: Capturing and Using Energy

Imagine that you are talking with one of your friends. He states that evolution has actually violated the second law of thermodynamics because complex living organisms are more ordered than the nucleic acids, amino acids, and other molecules that compose them. Why doesn't evolution contradict the second law of thermodynamics?

The degree of disorder, or number of microstates, is called:

Organisms that derive both their energy and carbon from organic compounds are:

The lid of a container containing a gas is removed. As a consequence, the molecules of the gas have more space available to them to spread out. For the gas released from the container, which of the following increases?

In a reaction that is believed to be similar to prebiotic chemical reactions, H₂S can combine with FeS to form _____.

During a chemical reaction, atoms of hydrogen can be transformed into carbon atoms by the addition of protons to the nucleus.

An anabolic reaction decreases entropy within the system because the reaction results in a more ordered macromolecule.

Discuss energy in reference to Case 1, The First Cell: Life's Origins.

One day, scientists will be able to genetically engineer mice that are 100% energy efficient, and this achievement will greatly impact the biotechnology industry.

The first law of thermodynamics states that:

An uncatalyzed reaction has a higher G than the same reaction when catalyzed by an enzyme.

Oak trees are categorized as:

Imagine that a bowling ball is placed at various locations along a staircase. At which location does the ball possess the GREATEST amount of potential energy?

Metal ions are a common type of _____ for enzymes.

Of the following choices, which can be a product of a catabolic reaction?

Which of the following is TRUE of allosteric inhibitors of an enzyme?

Of the following molecules, which has the GREATEST potential energy?

How might an enzyme inhibitor slow down the action of an enzyme without binding to the active site?

You notice that a chemical reaction in your system is happening at a slow rate. You want to speed up the reaction. What do you do?

Gibbs free energy is defined as: