Context of Biological Processes

[laurence14b2f]

Hi folks! In what ways do kinetics and thermodynamics intersect in complex chemical systems, such as biological processes or atmospheric reactions? Thanks!

[Kai Johnson 3B]

Kinetics determines reaction rates and pathways to equilibrium, while thermodynamics describes equilibrium states and stability.

Thermodynamics quantifies energy changes, while kinetics provides insights into activation energy and reaction progress rates.

Kinetics establishes rate laws and reaction mechanisms, while thermodynamics evaluates their feasibility based on energy changes.
Both are temperature-dependent, with kinetics describing rate changes and thermodynamics describing changes in equilibrium constants and Gibbs free energy.

In complex systems like biological processes and atmospheric reactions, kinetics and thermodynamics jointly influence reaction rates, energy changes, and overall system behavior.

[306092134 14B 3E]

I know kinetics and thermodynamics can be applied to a lot of things, especially biological applications. A prime example I can think of would be cellular mechanisms like photosynthesis that use catalysts (such as rubisco) and heat to fulfill the process. Many biological systems would not be possible without catalysts and the lowering of the activation energy in enzymatic reactions. In terms of thermodynamics for biological systems, the amount of energy capable of doing work during a chemical reaction is measured by the change in Gibbs free energy. The principal of coupling reactions can be utilized to alter the change in Gibbs Free Energy.