mattottam Posted December 28, 2013 Posted December 28, 2013 Hello, I was thinking about the self assembly proteins and I can't figure how this process follow the second law of thermodynamics. With the knowledge I have, this proteins form their tertiary structure without involving any enzymes or molecules, they simply form hydrogen bonds or Van der Waals interactions. It looks like a local situation of order without a consequential universe disorder. Obviously I miss something, thanks for the answers
CharonY Posted December 30, 2013 Posted December 30, 2013 It is not a closed system. The formation of bonds releases energy, i.e. the folded protein is in a lower energy state than the unfolded one (in aqueous medium).
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