The entropy of a growing cell does NOT keep increasing continuously because:
The entropy of a growing cell does NOT keep increasing continuously because:
Select an option to attempt
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation
Thermodynamics of living cells: open systems:Living cells as thermodynamic systems:• They are OPEN SYSTEMS: exchange both matter (nutrients, metabolites, waste products) AND energy (heat, work) with the environment.• Closed systems: exchange only energy, not matter.• Isolated systems: exchange neither matter nor energy.Second Law of Thermodynamics and life:• Living cells maintain their highly ordered, low-entropy internal state by CONTINUOUSLY INCREASING ENTROPY of their surroundings.•• Cells export disorder (heat, CO₂, waste) to the environment, thus maintaining their own low entropy.This is why life requires a constant input of energy (food, sunlight) — to power the entropy export.Answer: Living cells are open thermodynamic systems exchanging both matter and energy with surroundings; they maintain low internal entropy by increasing environmental entropy.