Question 1

Which of the following best describes the first law of thermodynamics as it applies to biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Energy can be transferred and transformed, but it cannot be created or destroyed.

Question 2

A runner eats a meal high in carbohydrates before a race. Which type of energy is stored in the carbohydrates, and what is it converted to during the race?

Accepted Answer

Chemical energy; converted to kinetic energy

Question 3

Which equation correctly represents the first law of thermodynamics for a closed biological system?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta E = q + w$$

Question 4

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the second law of thermodynamics in a biological context?

Accepted Answer

A child cleaning their room, resulting in a decrease in entropy in the room but an increase in entropy in the universe.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about metabolic pathways is correct?

Accepted Answer

Anabolic pathways consume energy to build complex molecules, while catabolic pathways release energy by breaking down molecules.

Question 6

A cell uses ATP to drive an endergonic reaction. Which concept does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Energy coupling

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why living organisms do not violate the second law of thermodynamics?

Accepted Answer

They create local order by increasing the entropy of their surroundings, resulting in a net increase in universal entropy.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of kinetic energy in a biological system?

Accepted Answer

A muscle contracting to move a limb

Question 9

During cellular respiration, glucose is broken down and energy is released. Which type of metabolic pathway does this represent?

Accepted Answer

Catabolic pathway

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the relationship between free energy ($$\Delta G) $$and spontaneous reactions?

Accepted Answer

A reaction is spontaneous if $$\Delta G is $$negative.

Question 11

A person jumps off a diving board. Which energy transformation occurs as they fall toward the water?

Accepted Answer

Potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a form of energy relevant to living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear energy from radioactive decay

Question 13

Which of the following statements about chemical energy is correct?

Accepted Answer

Chemical energy is stored in the bonds of molecules such as glucose.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the role of enzymes in metabolic pathways?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes speed up metabolic reactions by lowering the activation energy barrier.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of an anabolic pathway?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis building glucose from carbon dioxide and water

Question 16

A scientist measures the entropy change ($$\Delta S) $$during a chemical reaction in a cell. Which of the following statements is true if $$\Delta S is $$positive?

Accepted Answer

The disorder of the system has increased.

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why energy transformations are never 100% efficient in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Some energy is always lost as heat, increasing the entropy of the surroundings.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-life example of energy coupling in cells?

Accepted Answer

The use of ATP hydrolysis to drive the synthesis of sucrose from glucose and fructose.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about biological order and disorder is correct?

Accepted Answer

Cells create order locally while increasing the overall disorder (entropy) of the universe.

Question 20

A click beetle produces light by converting chemical energy into radiant energy. Which law of thermodynamics explains why some energy is also lost as heat during this process?

Accepted Answer

The second law of thermodynamics

Chapter 8: An Introduction to Metabolism (Energy & Enzymes) – Study Notes

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