Question

A large gradient for sodium exists across a cell membrane. Channels are opened and sodium diffuses freely through the channels. How will this movement affect the free energy, entropy, enthalpy, and stability of this system? Note: the system is the sodium ions inside and outside of the cell.

Answer 1

Once the sodium channels opens and sodium is allowed to diffuse freely in and out of the cell, this will cause a large change in entropy and enthalpy. Values for both these quantities will increase significantly, however, the change in free energy will be small when we compare the open and closed state of the sodium channel. With regards to the stability of the system, it will reach equilibrium because the concentration of sodium ions is being allowed to diffuse without any regulation.

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