A large gradient for sodium exists across a cell membrane. Channels are opened and sodium diffuses freely through the channels. How will this movement affect the free energy, entropy, enthalpy, and stability of this system? Note: the system is the sodium ions inside and outside of the cell.

Once the sodium channels opens and sodium is allowed to diffuse freely in and out of the cell, this will cause a large change in entropy and enthalpy. Values for both these quantities will increase significantly, however, the change in free energy will be small when we compare the open and closed state of the sodium channel. With regards to the stability of the system, it will reach equilibrium because the concentration of sodium ions is being allowed to diffuse without any regulation.

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q: compare the parts of a cell and the cell as a whole to another common nonliving system (i.e., a car, a city,

a:

comparing this to the inside of a food building/company.

all cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane, which protects the cell from its environment, keeping toxic substances out of the cell. it regulates which molecules are allowed to enter and exit the cell.

regulates all cell activity such as cellular metabolism, and growth in addition to storing and maintaining the cell's dna for transcription and replication. determines what proteins to make.

contains the organelles; site of most cell activity

the place where ribosomes do their working activity.

builds the proteins.

prepares proteins for use or export.

responsible for breaking down and absorbing materials taken in by the cell.

maintains cell shape.

transforms one form of energy into another.