The second law of thermodynamics in bioenergetics.
Bioenergetic processes are viewed as processes of free energy transduction. The free energies of both local equilibrium and fluctuation states are being considered. It is shown that the exchange of thermal energy with the surrounding medium, acting as a reservoir, does not violate the second law of thermodynamics within broad limits. There is sufficient latitude for proteins to carry out their function of transduction utilizing thermal energy in the process.
Kemeny
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Department of Biophysics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich. 48824.