If a cell were a closed system it would die because its reactions would:
ASpeed up beyond any control
BRun only in the building direction
CReach equilibrium and stop doing work
DRelease far too much heat at once
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Reach equilibrium and stop doing work
1. Work requires a supply of free energy that is not yet spent.
2. A closed system cannot take in fresh energy-storing molecules.
3. If a cell were a closed system, its chemical reactions would reach equilibrium.
4. It would die because there would be insufficient free energy left to perform the work needed to maintain life.
5. This is why a living cell must stay an open system.
_Source: OpenStax Biology for AP(R) Courses (CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 'Metabolism', sections 6.1-6.5_
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