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Multiple Choice
Which of the following states the relevance of the first law of thermodynamics to biology?
A
Because living things consume energy, the total energy of the universe is constantly decreasing.
B
Photosynthetic organisms produce energy in sugars from sunlight.
C
Energy is destroyed as glucose is broken down during cellular respiration.
D
Living organisms must increase the entropy of their surroundings.
E
Energy can be freely transformed among different forms as long as the total energy is conserved.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the first law of thermodynamics, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
Consider how this law applies to biological systems, where energy transformations are crucial for processes like photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
In photosynthesis, light energy is transformed into chemical energy stored in glucose, demonstrating energy transformation without loss of total energy.
During cellular respiration, the chemical energy in glucose is converted into ATP, the energy currency of the cell, again showing energy transformation.
Conclude that the relevance of the first law of thermodynamics to biology is that energy can be transformed among different forms, but the total energy remains conserved, aligning with the correct answer provided.