Life
a characteristic that distinguishes physical entities that have biological processes, from those that do not.
Characteristics of Life
1. Growth (Consumption, Excretion)
2. Respond to external stimulation
3. Adapt to the environment
4. Reproduction
Homeostasis
An equilibrium of parameters that define the internal environment of a system
Entropy
A measure of disorder in the system. (or of the availability of the energy in a system to do work).
Second Law of Thermodynamics
The total entropy of an isolated system can never decrease over time.
(basically, everything decays over time.)
Erwin Schrodinger states that:
Life, contrary to the general tendency dictated by the second law of thermodynamics, decreases or maintains its entropy by feeding on free energy.
(Life is the ability to maintain or decrease the level of entropy (disorder).)
Living systems must be:
Open-Exchange with environment.
How to Decrease Entropy:
We must be able to acquire and utilize energy from the environment.
Gibbs Free Energy (?G)
-The amount of energy available during a chemical reaction to do cellular work.
?G- Gibbs free energy(J/mol)
?H- Change of Enthalpy(heat)(kJ/mol)
T- Temp. in Kelvin
?S- Entropy change-- drive towards disorder (J/K*mol)
Louis Pasteur Experiment
Refute Spontaneous Generation
4 Major Macroelements in Body
Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
Macronutrients
Primary building blocks of living cells
Metabolism
The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.
Anabolism
Processes of synthesis and storing energy, 'constructive metabolism'
-Protein biosynthesis, gluconeogenesis
Catabolism
Breakdown of molecules, release of energy, 'destructive metabolism'
-Glycolysis, TCA cycle, Oxidation of fatty acids.
Genome
The 'Manual' we pass onto further generations.