The entropy of systems

It seems to me gravity, entrophy and ADP have little to connect them together. ADP is a molecule or cell that seems to exist anywhere the environment allows it to exist. Gravity is a mystery force that moves stuff. And entrophy is an invention on the human mind that predicts how energy interacts with matter. Lets not make a stew out of this by throwing everything in a pot and cooking it. Anyway, how ADP does the job of absorbing energy and changing chemical bonds within cells is a process that plants use as well as other life so my main interest is in how plants do it. They change CO2&H2O into CH2O&O2 by absorbing sun light. ADP is in there somewhere-somehow.

GD, on what basis are you contradicting my original statement? Is it not true that living organisms maintain biochemical equilibrium and that severe interuption of that equilibrium is the condition we call death? Allow your blood to change just one whole number value of pH in either direction from 7.4 and welcome to the grave. Changes of just a few degrees of temperature are fatal. Life uses energetic processes to maintain equilibrium by ingesting heat and chemical energy and re-releasing energy into the world. Some of this energy is used to reproduce (thank god) and that energy is carried on. The continuation of parent cells from meiosis and creation of new organisms is immortality for an organism. These cells continue to the new organism and the energetic process is continued. As in thermodynamics, the question must always be asked in the context of the system. This whole thread would benefit greatly from a succinct definition of the system and constraints for quality discussion. Thanks, mark

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by MarkVitrone</i>
<br />GD, on what basis are you contradicting my original statement? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

What I am contradicting is the term: equilibrium.
There is no such thing.
The evolution of any system is based on "non-equilibrium".
This is what I have been trying to convey for the past two years.
You may consider this a bit far fetched, but I still think I have it right.
The reproduction of a species is possible only if its environment allows it (temperature, water, ... etc.)
Do you believe the Earth will remain viable forever?

Gravity is part of this "non-equilibrium" theory. Actually, I think it is the only theory which can include it.

GD, I am not sure how you dispute the notion of equilibrium, or why. I mean don't you have a thermostat at home? Too hot, air comes on.....too cold, heat comes on. Mark

Mark Vitrone

GD,

Equilibrium, as defined in several dictionaries available to me on short notice, obviously exists. Mark's position is winning this one.

Perhaps you can share with us what you actually mean when you say " ... there is no such thing as equilibrium ...".

[GD] "Do you believe the Earth will remain viable forever?"

No, we don't. But even if we are wrong and it does, this is irreleveant. In the real world a specific equilibrium condition can ( !!! ) exist for less than forever, after which it changes. Often it changes to a different equilibrium condition which also lasts for a finite period of time. And so on.

LB

GD,

Mark and Larry are correct in the understanding that the universe is always seeking equilibrium. If the universe operated on ever higher levels of entropy then chaos and eventually nothing would exist. Fortunately that is not the case, otherwise there would be zero "stasis" (condition of balance between the forces) of organizational energy systems in universe and you and I would not be here right now discussing equilibrium.

Here is the definition for HOMEOSTASIS:

1. The ability or tendency of an organism or a cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes.
2. The processes used to maintain such bodily equilibrium.

John