Question

When a muscle moves, a phosphate is removed from ATP. Breaking a bond in ATP allows the chemical energy stored in the bond to disperse in a muscle cell in the forms of mechanical energy and heat energy. How does the second law of thermodynamics apply to this process?

Answer 1

Answer:

Some of the energy released by ATP hydrolysis is used in muscle movement while the rest is lost as heat.

Explanation:

According to the second law of thermodynamics, when energy is transformed from one form to another, some energy is used to perform work while the rest is lost as heat to the surroundings. The energy heat energy lost to the surroundings cannot be used to perform functions.  

According to the given information, the chemical energy released from the breakdown of ATP is converted into mechanical energy during the movement of a muscle. However, some of the energy released from ATP is lost as thermal energy and is not available to serve in the movement of muscles. This loss of part of the energy as heat during muscle movement explains that the process follows the second law of thermodynamics.