Question

Short / Long answer type questions .
Define entropy. Discuss its significance to the biological systems.

Answer 1

The degree of randomness or disorder in a system is called its entropy. Every energy transfer results in the conversion of some energy to an unusable form (such as heat), and since heat that does not do work goes to increase the randomness of the universe.

The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy, a measure of disorder, increases during any spontaneous process in an isolated system.

We can view the entire universe as an isolated system, leading to the conclusions that the entropy of the universe is tending to be maximum. However, all living things maintain a highly ordered, low entropy structure.

Life is not an isolated system, it is very far from it. Life is a completely open system, where both energy and matter continuously flows in and out. Food is processed to provide energy to the cells, to move the muscles, to repair things that break down all of the time inside our bodies. So in conclusion, by a constant input of energy living organisms cope with entropy.