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Energy Conversion in Cells
What is an example of energy interconversion in cells?
Cells can convert chemical-bond energy into kinetic energy to drive molecular motor proteins.
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Energy Conversion in Cells
How does an animal cell use the energy from food molecules?
It converts the chemical-bond energy into heat energy, which keeps the body warm.
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Role of Enzymes in Metabolism
What distinguishes the metabolism of a cell from the wasteful burning of fuel in a fire?
The tight coupling of heat production to an increase in molecular order.
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Thermodynamics and Biological Order
What is an example of potential energy being converted to heat energy?
A raised brick has potential energy due to gravity, which converts to heat energy when it hits the floor.
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Thermodynamics and Biological Order
What happens to the kinetic energy of newly formed water molecules from H2 and O2?
It is spread evenly throughout the surroundings as heat energy.
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Thermodynamics and Biological Order
What does the first law of thermodynamics state?
Energy can be converted from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed.
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Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
How do some cells harvest energy from sunlight?
Through photosynthesis, converting sunlight into chemical bonds.
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Thermodynamics and Biological Order
Why can't cells derive benefit from the heat energy they release?
Unless the heat-generating reactions are directly linked to processes that generate molecular order.
