...Systems Research and Behavioral Science Syst. Res. 15, 365–372 (1998) & Research Paper Evolution and Thermodynamics: The New Paradigm{ Jeffrey S. Wicken* Department of Biochemistry, Penn State University, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA This paper introduces the new evolutionary paradigm born of the synthesis of Darwinism and thermodynamics. It also introduces this volume, whose theme is the integration of life and social process with physical law. The sense of this expansion is as follows: Darwinism has come under intense scrutiny in recent years, from several fields. These range from statistical mechanics to developmental biology. In this paper, I will discuss the direction the revision of the Darwinian program is taking through thermodynamics, which is the science of irreversible process and self-organization. My objective is to show the coherence of life with the rest of nature. # 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Keywords evolution; emergence; thermodynamics INTRODUCTION Evolutionary theory is presently undergoing the kind of massive conceptual restructuring that marked the two great scientific revolutions of our century: relativity and quantum mechanics. Like those two revolutions, the one occurring in evolutionary theory has tremendous practical and epistemological implications for understanding, and dealing with, nature. Much is dissonant in the Darwinian world. The ecological relationality of life had, from the time of Aristotle, suggested a functional order of nature...
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...SCI 115 Dr. Barbosa Assignment # 1 Paper due Week 4 By Susan B. 10/26/12 Photosynthesis is an amazing process that transpires inherently and is one that is required for all living organisms to sustain existence on this planet. The efficiency of this process has sparked inventions, such as the semiconductor-based solar cell, that would allow humans to produce energy in a way that is very similar to that of a plant’s photosynthetic process. In this paper, I will compare and contrast the photosynthetic process with that of semiconductor-based solar cells in their capacities to generate energy while also explaining the application of thermodynamics to each process. In order to discuss the photosynthesis and the semiconductor-based solar cell, it is crucial to understand what is involved in each process and how they could be different or the same. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and some bacteria use the energy from sunlight to produce sugar, which cellular respiration converts into ATP, the fuel used by all living things. The solar cell connects solar energy to convert it into electricity, which is required by all humans. This process can be understood as solar electricity, which is created by using Photovoltaic technology, which is converting solar energy into solar electricity from sunlight. This system is providing sunlight to everyday use constituents such as computers, lighting and electrical equipment. The foremost contrast between photosynthesis...
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...Week 1 – HOW LIFE WORKS: Biology – Science of How Life Works; study of life; attempt to understand processes of life. How life works - many levels. Three levels: -Molecular mechanisms within the cell -Integrated actions of many cells within an organ or body -Interactions among different organisms in nature Life Processes – Microscopic and macroscopic levels: All methods of scientific study use the Scientific Method Scientific Method – Systematic approach to finding out how things work. (i.e., structured and disciplined way to study things) Deliberate way of asking questions about things we don’t yet understand. Start with observation – Sensing the world around us with our 5 senses or with augmented abilities such as scientific instruments; – seeing a particular event or occurrence; Scientists then make proposed, tentative explanations < - - i.e., hypothesis (a predictive guess) and plan out detailed experiments or detailed observations to see if the tentative explanation is correct (i.e., true). Test that tentative explanation [pic] Make some observations of the image above. Ideas: -What motivates this behavior? -Is the bird feeding? -Does the bird choose this flower because of its color? -Does the flower benefit from the bird’s behavior? Observations made and the questions they raise allow us to propose tentative explanations, or hypotheses. ...
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...Chapter 1 * Environment- * Circumstances or conditions that surround an organism or group of organisms * Complex of social or cultural conditions that affect an individual or community * Environmental Science is the systematic study of our environment and our proper place in it * Ethics is a branch of philosophy concerned with what actions are right and wrong. * Environmental ethics deals with our moral obligations to the world around us. * Worldviews - sets of basic beliefs, images and understandings that shape how we see the world around us. Worldviews also determine what questions are valid to ask. * Moral extensionism - extending moral values to others * Should moral extensionism include granting some degree of moral value to animals, plants and the environment? * Value - a measure of the worth of something * Stewardship - taking care of the resources we are given. * The field of environmental justice combines civil rights with environmental protection to demand a safe and healthy environment for everyone. * Environmental Racism is an inequitable distribution of environmental hazards based on race. * Toxic colonialism is the practice of targeting poor communities or communities of color in developing nations as waste disposal areas. Chapter 2 * Scientists strive for: * accuracy - correctness of measurements * reproducibility - repeatability of results Scientific Method * Observation-A...
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...PMB 103: METABOLISM: BASIC CONCEPTS AND DESIGN Definition of terms; metabolism, bioenergetics and thermodynamics. * Laws of thermodynamics, free energy changes and standard free energy changes in biochemical reactions. * Phosphoryl group transfers and ATP; * Free-energy change for hydrolysis of ATP and other phosphorylated compounds and thioesters. * Role of ATP: phosphorylation, * pyrophosphorylation and adenylation, * assembly of informational macromolecules, * active transport and muscle contraction. * Biological oxidation-reduction reactions; * flow of electrons * dehydrogenations * redox potentials * electron carriers * dehydrogenases * Nature of metabolic reactions: anabolism, catabolism. * regulation of metabolism. Scope of the course * (Review) the laws of thermodynamics and the quantitative relationships among free energy, enthalpy, and entropy. * describe the special role of ATP in biological energy exchanges. Consider the importance of oxidation-reduction reactions in living cells, the energetic of electron-transfer reactions, and the electron carriers commonly employed as cofactors of the enzymes that catalyze these reactions. Reference Books 1. Lehninger, PPls of Biochemistry Fourth Edition David L Nelson and 2. Elementary Biophysics. An introduction. PK. Srivastave Alpha Science Oxford, UK 2005 3. Biophysics. V. Pattabhi and N. Gautham. Second Edition...
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...Running head: PHOTOSYNTHESIS VS. SEMICONDUCTOR BASED SOLAR CELL Photosynthesis Vs. Semiconductor Based Solar Cell Biology – SCI 115 23 January 2012 Abstract This paper discusses photosynthesis and how it is used by plants to harness solar energy. It also discusses semiconductor-based solar cells and how they are able to harness solar energy and convert it to electricity. This paper also compares the two types of solar energy systems and provides an overview of how the two systems are alike and how they are different. In closing, this paper will briefly explain how the laws of thermodynamics apply to each of the two energy systems. Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is a process that transfers solar energy, or energy from the sun, into a chemical energy that provides nutrients to plants and animals all over the world. Without these important nutrients, plants, animals and humans would not be able to survive on earth. “Animals and plants get energy by metabolizing nutrient molecules made by photosynthesizers.” (Mader, 2010) Semiconductor-Based Solar Cell Before discussing what a semiconductor-based solar cell is, I would first like to define a semiconductor and then explain how it is used in a solar cell type environment. A semiconductor is, “a class of materials, such as silicon and germanium, whose electrical properties lie between those of conductors (such as copper and aluminum) and insulators (such as glass and rubber)...
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...Describe the concept "an organism is more than the sum of its parts." • List the six kingdoms of life. • By definition, distinguish between a population, a community, and an ecosystem. • Distinguish between a producer, a consumer and a decomposer. III. Origins of Diversity- Evolution of Life • Define the term "biodiversity. • Define the term "evolution." • Describe how diversity of life can arise by the operation of natural selection. IV. The Nature of Biological Inquiry – Scientific Method • Distinguish between a hypothesis and a prediction • Distinguish between inductive and deductive logic • What is meant by the phrase "potentially falsifiable hypothesis"? • Define the term "control group" and tell the value of a control group in an experiment • Define the term "theory" and tell at what point in a study a hypothesis becomes a theory • Design an experiment to test a given hypothesis, using the procedure and terminology of the scientific method. Try the problem: "Does temperature affect the breathing rate of a goldfish"? • Describe at least three ways that science differs from systems of belief that are based on faith, force or simple consensus. Lesson 1 AYLs 1. How is the theory of evolution used to explain the tremendous diversity of life on Earth? Describe how variation within a population arises and how natural selection...
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...Associate Program Material Cell Energy Worksheet Answer the following questions: Cellular respiration: • What is cellular respiration and what are its three stages? Cellular respiration is the process by which electrons are transferred between glucose to coenzymes and then to oxygen. The three stagesare: glycolysis, citric acid cycle, and electron transport. • What is the role of glycolysis? Include the reactants and the products. Where does it occur? Glycolysis is the sugar splitting process where the molecule is split in half outside of the mitochondria. The molecule NAD+ picks up electrons and hydrogen atoms from the carbon molecule and become NADH. ATP is produced from the process, as well as pyruvic acid. Glycolysis can occur with or without oxygen. With oxygen it is the first stage of the cellular respiration, but if the process is done without oxygen it is called fermentation. • What is the role of the citric acid cycle? Include the reactants and the products. Where does it occur? The Citric Acid Cycle starts after the glycolysis cycle produces the acetyl CoA compound. The Coenzyme A is removed and the remaining carbon skeleton is attached to another 4-carbon molecule. The new 6-carbon chain releases carbon dioxide. Two ATP’s are produced during this process for each molecule of glucose. The end result of the citric acid cycle is 4 CO molecules, 6 NADH molecules, 2 ATP molecules and 2 FADH2 molecules. The process is part...
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...this video starts off very reasonably, explaining how something cannot come from nothing, this is currently true and most likely always will be, this I find is one of the only logical aspects of this video. The video then moves on to the next point, did the universe begin, or has it always existed? It then immediately says that Atheists believe the universe has been here forever, this simply isn't true, all scientific atheists agree that the big bang happened, but there could easily had been previous universes before us, and could be future universes ahead of us. The video then shows the second law of thermodynamics, firstly, it completely...
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...Ecosystem Functions The rain forest can be believed to be a living organism; they are a forest categorized by the amount of rain that falls throughout the year. Rainforest are some of this planet’s most complex ecosystems. “They once covered 14% of the earth's land surface and now they cover a mere 6%” (RainTree, 2010). Nonetheless, more than half of plant and animal species make it their home. It is home to some magnificent creatures and even some unidentified species. The largest part of the plants and animals that exist in the rainforest are endemic, which means they do not live anywhere else in the world. For this paper, Team C will discover the different aspect of the rainforest; also, how it functions within itself. Rainforest Climate The rainforest climate is humid, and has rain most of the time. Michael, (2001),"The sun warms the land and sea and the water evaporates into the air. The warm air can hold a lot of water vapor. As the air rises, it cools. That means it can hold less water vapor” (para. 1). When the warm meets, the cold vapor happens, clouds produced, and clouds make rain. Adapting to the climate the plants make up the underlining of the rainforest. Moreover, the rainforest is hot because of where it is to the equator. In addition, its plant life will die out if the temperature changes. First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics flows The first law of thermodynamic state that energy cannot be destroys, it can only move from one form to...
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...IncorrectQuestion 1 0 / 1 pts Which of these is an example of homeostasis? Hummingbirds prefer to feed on nectar from red flowers. Homeostasis is the maintenance of the body's internal state within a relatively narrow range. When the dog's body temperature becomes too high, the animal feels hot. He opens his mouth, lets his tongue loll out, and pants until he feels comfortable again. A shark can detect even minute quantities of blood in the water. Venomous coral snakes and harmless scarlet kingsnakes both have bands of red, yellow, and black. Birds, bats, and butterflies all have wings. When a dog feels hot, it hangs it tongue out and pants. Question 2 1 / 1 pts Without this part of an experiment, a scientist would have no way of knowing if the treatment worked or not: Control group The control group is not subjected to the experimental treatment, thus, if there is a significant change in the test group but not the control group, then the treatment worked. Hypothesis Conclusion Observation Testing Question 3 1 / 1 pts Which of the following is not considered a basic theory of biology? Gene Ecosystem Cell Homeostasis The notch is an adaptation for feeding on shrubs. an experimental variable. a species. Question 7 1 / 1 pts Which of the following levels of taxonomy is the least inclusive? Class Order Family ...
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...Classical conditioning shapes many of society's common, everyday tasks. Whether we know it or not, many actions we do numerous times a day are a direct result of classical conditioning. To better understand why we act the way we do in society, classical conditioning must be defined and described. Classical conditioning is defined as: a process by which a previously neutral stimulus acquires the capacity to elicit a response through association with a stimulus that already elicits a similar or related response. Discovered by Ivan Pavlov, classical conditioning is a form of learning. Pavlov revealed this trait when experimenting with dog's amounts of saliva in response to meat. He started noticing that after many repetitions, the dogs were salivating before the meat was even introduced. Pavlov concluded that some other stimulus that was repetitively associated with the meat was triggering the salivation. This simple concept describes how many actions are carried out in society today. Many times classical conditioning is not something that is purposefully done, but rather an incidental outcome. Conditioning may take a variable amount of time to occur. For example, humans are not born associating red with stop. As we grow, and ride in cars, we begin to consciously or subconsciously figure out that when a stoplight is red-you stop. Stop signs are red, stoplights are red, and brake lights are red. All of these things symbolize stopping. Yes, when you turn sixteen and you get your...
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...Chapter 9 Cellular Respiration — Objectives — Equation for Cellular Respiration — Electron Carriers and Redox Reactions — Process of Cell Respiration — Glycolysis — Prep Reaction — Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle) — Electron Transport Chain — Fermentation — The Ingredients — You already know what is needed for Cellular Respiration Food + Oxygen Carbon Dioxide+ Water +ENERGY! C6H12O6 + O2 CO2 +H2O + ATP — Redox Reactions (the shuffling of electrons) • Most of the reactions involved in the process are possible because of the redox reaction of NAD, an electron carrier • Oxidation – a reaction in which a substance loses electrons C6H1206 CO2 • Reduction – a reaction in which a substance gains electrons O2 H2O • Oxidation always occurs with reduction = Redox Reaction — NAD: An Electron Carrier — NAD+ gains an electron to become NAD — NAD gains a hydrogen to become NADH — This can also occur with the electron carrier FAD — Cellular Respiration — The means in which the cell produces energy — Often consists of 4 Steps: — Glycolysis — Prep Reaction — Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle) — Electron Transport Chain — Glycolysis • Occurs in the cytosol • Begins with a molecule of glucose (a 6 carbon sugar) • Uses the energy of 2 ATP to split the stable glucose into 2 unstable molecules each containing 3 carbons • Now all processes...
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...Comp 101 Argumentative Essay Did you know that 58% of Americans believe in Evolution? Why do they believe Evolution over Creation? Because they don’t want science to be mixed around with all the “emotional fluff” that is supposedly found in Christianity. Evolution and Christianity are both philosophical explanations, meaning you can’t test them, but you can have faith and believe in them, trusting in the evidence found. The Creation theory is the belief that God created the world and everything in it in a 7 day week. The Evolution theory is the belief that the world was created without God by “less complex” life forms gaining new DNA through mutation, gaining new traits, so over a long period of time they become “more complex, previously...
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...Management. Groningen: Wolters-Noordhoff. 400 pp. ISBN 90-01-32950-0. 4.2. An overview of Morgan's metaphors Morgan (1986) distinguishes eight metaphors for organizations: machine, organism, brain, culture, political system, psychic prison, flux and transformation, and instrument of domination. Each metaphor highlights other aspects of organizational life (see Figure 4.1.). For further analysis, the metaphors can be grouped into three groups: the machine group, the organism group, and the mind group. The machine group only contains the machine metaphor (Paragraph 4.3.). The organism group focuses on the dynamic relationship of organization and environment and contains the organism metaphor and the flux and transformation metaphor (Paragraph 4.4.). The mind group (Paragraph 4.5.) contains two subgroups. The first mind subgroup concentrates on the relationship between the minds of persons and the organization as a social construct; it contains the brain metaphor, the culture metaphor, and the psychic prison metaphor. The second mind subgroup focuses on coordination mechanisms and power plays, and encompasses the political system metaphor and the instrument of domination metaphor. metaphor machine highlights efficiency, quality, and timeliness of production processes in a machine made up of interlocking parts attributes, structures, and development of organizations coping with their environments; evolutionary patterns in the interorganizational ecology the logic of change...
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