Which of the following statements is consistent with the second law of thermodynamics?
A) A gain of free energy in a system is never associated with conversion of energy from one form to another.
B) A constant input of energy is required to maintain the high level of organization associated with living cells.
C) Without an input of energy, the entropy of an organism would tend to decrease over time.
D) Every energy transformation performed by an organism decreases the entropy of the universe.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of an isolated system can never decrease over time, and is constant if and only if all processes are reversible. In the context of living organisms, which are highly organized systems, maintaining their organization and carrying out life processes require a constant input of energy, often in the form of ATP. This is because any process in a living organism that decreases its entropy (increases its organization) is necessarily coupled with processes that increase the entropy of the surroundings, thus requiring energy input.

Which of the Following Statements Is Consistent with the Second