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Chapter 17: Problem 92

When most biological enzymes are heated, they lose their catalytic activity. This process is called denaturing. The change original enzyme \(\rightarrow\) new form that occurs on heating is endothermic and spontaneous. Is the structure of the original enzyme or its new form more ordered (has the smaller positional probability)? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The structure of the original enzyme is more ordered (has a smaller positional probability) than its new form after the endothermic and spontaneous denaturing process. This is because the entropy of the system increases, implying a decrease in order, as the process proceeds.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the given information

We are given that the denaturing process of a biological enzyme is heating is endothermic and spontaneous. Endothermic means that the reaction absorbs heat from its surroundings, and spontaneous means that the reaction occurs naturally without any external input.
02

Define entropy and relate it to the spontaneity of a reaction

Entropy is a measure of the degree of disorder or randomness in a system. It is often represented by the symbol \(S\). In general, the entropy of a system increases with increasing disorder. A spontaneous reaction is characterized by an increase in entropy, which means that the system becomes more disordered after the reaction.
03

Consider entropy changes during denaturing process

During the denaturing process, the enzyme loses its catalytic activity, which means that its structure changes. Since the process is endothermic and spontaneous, it suggests that the entropy of the system has increased.
04

Determine the structure with a smaller positional probability

A smaller positional probability implies a higher degree of order in the system. Since the system's entropy has increased during the denaturing process, it means that the degree of order has decreased. Therefore, the original structure of the enzyme must have a smaller positional probability, indicating that it is more ordered compared to the new form after heating.
05

Conclusion

The structure of the original enzyme is more ordered (has a smaller positional probability) than its new form after the endothermic and spontaneous denaturing process. This conclusion is based on the relationship between entropy, spontaneity, and positional probability.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Predict the sign of \(\Delta S_{\text { surr }}\) for the following processes. a. \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \longrightarrow \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(g)\) b. \(\mathrm{I}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow \mathrm{I}_{2}(s)\)

The following reaction occurs in pure water: $$\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}^{+}(a q)+\mathrm{OH}^{-}(a q)$$ which is often abbreviated as $$\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{H}^{+}(a q)+\mathrm{OH}^{-}(a q)$$ For this reaction, \(\Delta G^{\circ}=79.9 \mathrm{kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\) at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) . Calculate the value of \(\Delta G\) for this reaction at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) when \(\left[\mathrm{OH}^{-}\right]=0.15 M\) and \(\left[\mathrm{H}^{+}\right]=0.71 M .\)

The synthesis of glucose directly from \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) and $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}$ and the synthesis of proteins directly from amino acids are both nonspontaneous processes under standard conditions. Yet it is necessary for these to occur for life to exist. In light of the second law of thermodynamics, how can life exist?

You have a 1.00 -L sample of hot water \(\left(90.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)\) sitting open in a \(25.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) room. Eventually the water cools to \(25.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) while the temperature of the room remains unchanged. Calculate \(\Delta S_{\mathrm{sur}}\) for this process. Assume the density of water is 1.00 $\mathrm{g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}$ over this temperature range, and the heat capacity of water is constant over this temperature range and equal to 75.4 $\mathrm{J} / \mathrm{K} \cdot$ mol.

Consider the following energy levels, each capable of holding two particles: $$\begin{array}{l}{E=2 \mathrm{kJ}} \\ {E=1 \mathrm{kJ}} \\ {E=0 \quad \underline{X X}}\end{array}$$ Draw all the possible arrangements of the two identical particles (represented by X) in the three energy levels. What total energy is most likely, that is, occurs the greatest number of times? Assume that the particles are indistinguishable from each other.
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