Final answer:
Cells overcome the constraints of the Second Law of Thermodynamics by efficiently converting chemical energy from their environment into ATP, which allows them to maintain a state of low entropy and perform essential functions, despite the increase in universal entropy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cells navigate the challenges posed by the laws of thermodynamics and entropy by efficiently converting energy into usable forms. The Second Law of Thermodynamics dictates that energy transfers are not completely efficient, resulting in the loss of some energy as heat, which increases the disorder or entropy of the universe. Cells utilize mechanisms to maintain a state of low entropy, which is necessary for sustaining life's high degree of order. They do this by transforming energy from their environment into chemical energy within molecules like ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which cells can readily use for work. Despite the continuous increase in universal entropy, living systems remain highly ordered by constant energy input from metabolic processes.
For example, during cellular respiration, glucose and other organic molecules are broken down, and the energy released is used to form ATP. The process is not 100% efficient and some energy is lost as heat, but enough is retained to maintain the low entropy state of living cells. The continuous input of energy and the conversion into ATP allows cells to do work despite the inevitable increase in entropy surrounding them. Thus, while the entropy of the universe increases, biological systems have adapted to harness energy efficiently to maintain order and support life processes.