A thermodynamic force generated by chemical gradient and adsorption reaction

TL;DR

This paper derives a thermodynamic force generated by chemical gradients and adsorption reactions, explaining how biological units are directed within cells, with implications for intracellular processes like chromosome partitioning.

Contribution

It introduces a formula for the thermodynamic force based on chemical potential gradients and adsorption, applicable to intracellular reactions, linking thermodynamics with biological transport.

Findings

Derived a formula for thermodynamic force involving chemical potential gradient and Langmuir isotherm.

Demonstrated the applicability of the formula to intracellular reactions.

Discussed the role of this force in bacterial chromosome and plasmid partitioning.

Abstract

Biological units such as macromolecules, organelles, and cells are directed to a proper location under gradients of relevant chemicals. By considering a macroscopic element that has binding sites for a chemical adsorption reaction to occur on its surface, we show the existence of a thermodynamic force that is generated by the gradient and exerted on the element. By assuming local equilibrium and adopting the grand potential from thermodynamics, we derive a formula for such a thermodynamic force, which depends on the chemical potential gradient and Langmuir isotherm. The conditions under which the formula can be applied are demonstrated to hold in intracellular reactions. The role of the force in the partitioning of bacterial chromosome/plasmid during cell division is discussed.