Bio question

Started by sfoksn
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sfoksn

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Although entropy continually increases within the universe as a whole, developing organisms gradually become more organized. Which of the following are these organisms capable of doing to aid this process?

a. lowering activation energy with enzyme
b. violating the 2nd law of thermo
c. using external sources of energy.
d. concentrating their own molecules so that energy flow is reverse.
e. creating energy.

Also.. Does anybody have paid ADA sample test for 2009?

If so, did you take a look at OCHEM #90, # 97 and 99, as well as QR #37?

Let's discuss the correct answer for this question!

Thank you 🙂
 
Living organisms speed up the increase of surrounding entropy by consuming external resources. They do this to decrease internal entropy by synthesizing products with acquired external energy sources. So based on this, I would have to go with C.

a) false, enzymes can increase entropy. examples are forward glycolysis enzymes that break down the ordered structure of glucose to create energy.
b) beats the whole point of the question.
c) plants absorb sunlight to synthesize glucose~~~!
d) nah, but can't think of a good explanation.
e) creating energy such as ATP often involves the increase of entropy, think glycolysis again
 
Yep, that's what I put, too, but the answer is E. What the hell?

ADA sample test has like 6 errors in Bio alone! Not to mention 3 wrong answers in QR and 4 wrong in Ochem.

I was bummed out when I missed so much in bio, turns out the answer keys are wrong..

RC has many questions unreasonably wrong also..
 
Seems that the answer should indeed be C. Quick google sleuthing revealed this:

"Life represents a decrease of entropy, a decrease of randomness. Such a decrease in randomization can only come about as a result of an infusion of energy from the outside of the closed system, from the outside of the organism. Therefore, the ability to utilize energy by converting it to a usable form, is the essence of all things that we call alive or living. In the case of life on earth, the outside energy is derived from the sun. No sunlight, no life on earth."
 
I went with E.

I interpreted creating energy as converting light energy into ATP. Where the energy of photons are converted into a molecule, such as ATP, thereby decreasing entropy.

And interpreting C as eating carbs from plants (external source) and breaking it down into smaller molecules and CO2, which increases entropy.
 
One thing i may add is an answer can be interpreted so many ways and I can see why you guys chose C. Go back to a question if you are not completely sure of the answer and don't worry if you're constantly 'marking' questions. I think out of 40 bio questions I marked maybe more than 50% of the questions. Going back to it will give you the opportunity to reread the problem and allow you to interpret it another way if you didn't understand it the first time.