Answer to Question #122302 in Cell Biology for Yashwanth

Question

Synthesis of protein molecules from the amino acids reduces randomness inside nd​
the cells. Does living cells defy the 2​ law of thermodynamics?

Answer 1

The synthesis of highly complex protein molecules from the amino acids is a process that leads to a decrease in entropy. According to the 2^nd law of thermodynamics, the entropy of an irreversible process in an isolated system must always increase. On the other hand, it is well known that the entropy of living systems remains small. Living cells are not isolated systems, they need outer energy sources and maintain a low-entropy state by increasing the entropy of cells surroundings. The energy input and output of the cell is not relevant to the second law of thermodynamics directly.