Open AccessThe Second Law of Thermodynamics in Bioenergetics
Author(s) -
Gábor Kemény
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.71.7.2655
Subject(s) - bioenergetics , thermodynamics , transduction (biophysics) , non equilibrium thermodynamics , second law of thermodynamics , laws of thermodynamics , energy exchange , thermal energy , function (biology) , thermal , chemistry , physics , biology , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , atmospheric sciences , mitochondrion
Bioenergetic processes are viewed as processes of free energy transduction. The free energies of both local equilibrium and fluctuation states are being considered. It is shown that the exchange of thermal energy with the surrounding medium, acting as a reservoir, does not violate the second law of thermodynamics within broad limits. There is sufficient latitude for proteins to carry out their function of transduction utilizing thermal energy in the process.