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varialectio t1_j3q8948 wrote

Typically, the formation of esters is an equilibrium process able to proceed in either direction.

Alcohol + Acid <=> Ester + Water

To drive the equilibrium to the right (to make an ester in the lab) it is usually necessary to continually remove the water from the mix as it is created. In the presence of excess water as is going to be the case in the body, the equilibrium is going to be well over on the side of the reactants

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bubbastars t1_j3rfw49 wrote

Does sweating (or other forms of dehydration) affect water in the body enough to shift the equilibrium towards the products?

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Uncynical_Diogenes t1_j3rpy8u wrote

Life is the process of homeostasis, or preventing your equilibria from shifting.

You die before any of your equilibria shift very much, because that’s what dying is.

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ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j3roja5 wrote

You'd likely die from dehydration before your endogenous water levels were low enough to push thia reaction to the right enough to form appreciable amount of esters

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doaardvarksswim t1_j3sz0h4 wrote

This needs to be said. Nearly all of life that we know of exists in equilibrium.

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skisushi t1_j3uqstf wrote

Nope. Nearly all death is at equilibrium. Steady state with energy inputs is not equilibrium. Nerves, muscles, etc are constantly utilizing energy to avoid the equilibrium state.

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ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j46v0tj wrote

I'll never forget this question from my Cell Bio final:

Q: what do you call a cell at equilibrium with its environment

A: Dead

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ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j46v04u wrote

I'll never forget this question from my Cell Bio final:

Q: what do you call a cell at equilibrium with its environment

A: Dead

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