Life at the Cellular Level- Thermodynamics

Question 1

What are the fundamental laws of thermodynamics?

Answer 1

1. Energy can be converted from one form to another but the total energy of the universe remains the same.
2. All energy transformations lead to more disorder in the universe i.e. entropy increases

Question 2

Define Gibbs free energy

Answer 2

Useful or free energy can be defined by 3 quantities.
Enthalpy H - heat released to surroundings
Entropy S - disorder
Absolute temperature T

Can be used to describe spontaneity of a reaction

Question 3

Define free energy change

Answer 3

G = H-TS