Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis01:28

ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis

Biological macromolecules are organic compounds, predominantly composed of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are covalently bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other minor elements. There are four major biological macromolecule classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Most macromolecules are composed of single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers.
Conversion of...
Entropy within the Cell01:22

Entropy within the Cell

A living cell's primary tasks of obtaining, transforming, and using energy to do work may seem simple. However, the second law of thermodynamics explains why these tasks are harder than they appear. None of the energy transfers in the universe are completely efficient. In every energy transfer, some amount of energy is lost in a form that is unusable. In most cases, this form is heat energy. Thermodynamically, heat energy is defined as the energy transferred from one system to another that is...
Third Law of Thermodynamics02:38

Third Law of Thermodynamics

A pure, perfectly crystalline solid possessing no kinetic energy (that is, at a temperature of absolute zero, 0 K) may be described by a single microstate, as its purity, perfect crystallinity,and complete lack of motion means there is but one possible location for each identical atom or molecule comprising the crystal (W = 1). According to the Boltzmann equation, the entropy of this system is zero.
Reversible and Irreversible Processes01:14

Reversible and Irreversible Processes

The thermodynamic processes can be classified into reversible and irreversible processes. The processes that can be restored to their initial state are called reversible processes. It is only possible if the process is in quasi-static equilibrium, i.e., it takes place in infinitesimally small steps, and the system remains at equilibrium However, these are ideal processes and do not occur naturally. An ideal system undergoing a reversible process is always in thermodynamic equilibrium within...
Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics01:26

Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Consider an isolated system in which a hot object is placed in contact with a cold one. This is an irreversible process that eventually leads both objects to reach the same equilibrium temperature. It is crucial to note that the constituents of any substance exhibit increased disorder at higher temperatures. As a cold substance absorbs heat, its constituents become more disordered. The energy transfer from a hotter object to a cooler one increases the system's disorder or randomness. This...
Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics01:20

Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

The second law of thermodynamics can be stated quantitatively using the concept of entropy. Entropy is the measure of disorder of the system.
The relation  between entropy and disorder can be illustrated with the example of the phase change of ice to water. In ice, the molecules are located at specific sites giving a solid state, whereas, in a liquid form, these molecules are much freer to move. The molecular arrangement has therefore become more randomized. Although the change in average...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Translational Entropy-Driven Competitive and Additive Effects on DNA Higher-Order Structure via Ion Exchange Between Cations of Different Valencies.

Entropy (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Effect of short-term early postoperative gait-training using a lightweight hip-assist device on walking-speed recovery after total knee arthroplasty: a pilot study.

Journal of artificial organs : the official journal of the Japanese Society for Artificial Organs·2026
Same author

EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level Index Value Changes Associated With Clinically Important Functional Improvement in Individuals With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Insights From Mean Change Analysis.

Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation·2026
Same author

Relationship between lower limb muscle coordination and knee flexion angle during the swing phase of gait in post-stroke individuals.

Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation·2026
Same author

Gait analysis of children with neurodevelopmental disorders using gait profile score.

Brain & development·2026
Same author

Ultra-giant lipid vesicles functioning as a centimeter-sized smart chemical reactor.

Soft matter·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Unraveling Entropic Rate Acceleration Induced by Solvent Dynamics in Membrane Enzymes
09:42

Unraveling Entropic Rate Acceleration Induced by Solvent Dynamics in Membrane Enzymes

Published on: January 16, 2016

Single macromolecules: hierarchic thermodynamics, irreversibility and biological function.

Kenichi Yoshikawa1

  • 1Department of Physics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8503 Japan.

Journal of Biological Physics
|January 25, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Single polymers exhibit distinct folding behaviors. Flexible polymers form spherical globules, while semi-flexible polymers yield diverse ordered structures, with implications for biological systems.

Keywords:
DNA condensationcoil-globule transitiongenetic regulationgenetic switchinggiant DNA

More Related Videos

Measuring Biomolecular DSC Profiles with Thermolabile Ligands to Rapidly Characterize Folding and Binding Interactions
09:15

Measuring Biomolecular DSC Profiles with Thermolabile Ligands to Rapidly Characterize Folding and Binding Interactions

Published on: November 21, 2017

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
11:03

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids

Published on: December 4, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Unraveling Entropic Rate Acceleration Induced by Solvent Dynamics in Membrane Enzymes
09:42

Unraveling Entropic Rate Acceleration Induced by Solvent Dynamics in Membrane Enzymes

Published on: January 16, 2016

Measuring Biomolecular DSC Profiles with Thermolabile Ligands to Rapidly Characterize Folding and Binding Interactions
09:15

Measuring Biomolecular DSC Profiles with Thermolabile Ligands to Rapidly Characterize Folding and Binding Interactions

Published on: November 21, 2017

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
11:03

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids

Published on: December 4, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Polymer physics
  • Biophysics
  • Materials science

Background:

  • Single homo-polymers undergo folding transitions.
  • Polymer flexibility influences folding pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distinct folding transition paths of single homo-polymers.
  • To explore the structural outcomes based on polymer flexibility.
  • To discuss the biological significance of these folding characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical modeling of polymer folding.
  • Computer simulations of polymer dynamics.
  • Analysis of polymer chain conformations.

Main Results:

  • Flexible polymers adopt a liquid-like spherical globule state.
  • Semi-flexible polymers form a variety of ordered structures.
  • A clear divergence in folding pathways is observed based on chain stiffness.

Conclusions:

  • Polymer flexibility is a critical determinant of folding transition outcomes.
  • The distinct folding behaviors of polymers have potential biological relevance.
  • Understanding these pathways offers insights into macromolecular self-assembly.