Question

1. A poikilotherm is an organism whose internal temperature varies based upon its environment - it regulates body temperature by basking or burrowing, for example a wood frog. In contrast, mammals are homeotherms, organisms which maintain thermal homeostasis. Both humans and frogs share similar enzymes. Say a metabolic reaction takes the form A → B. Its standard transformed free energy change (ΔG°) is 4.1 kJ mol-1 . (R = 8.3145 J K-1 mol-1 ).

1. Calculate the equilibrium constant for the reaction found in the frog during a cool night (2 °C). (4 marks)
2. Calculate the equilibrium constant for the reaction in a human (37°C). (4 marks)
3. When the concentration of A is 0.95 mM and the concentration of B is 0.18 mM, what is the ΔG for i) the human ii) the frog (2 marks each)
4. Explain if the reaction is spontaneous in the human and frog. (2 marks)

Answer 1

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