Question

Comment on the statement living state is a non-equilibrium steady state to be able to perform work.

Answer 1

Living organism are not in equilibrium because system at equilibrium cannot perform work. The living organisms exist in a steady state charcterised by concentration of each of the biomolecules.

These biomolecules are in a metabolic flux, Any chemical or physical process moves simultaneously to equilibrium. As living organisms work continuously, they cannot afford to reach equilibrium. Hence, the living state is in a non-equilibrium steady-state to be able to perform work. This is achieved by energy input provided lay metobolism.