Human Thermodynamics :: Glossary

Matrix: the spherical shell global crystalline molecular structure – commonly known as the biosphere – in which repeated arrays of bound state human molecules originate from, are embedded in, and interlinked into arrangements of: familial units, social networks, occupational fields, common interest nexuses, divisional industries, cities, states, governments, countries, etc.

Mechanical Engine: mechinery designed to couple exergonic reactions to operational devices, as pistons, so to effect a purpose or to yield work.

Metabolism: the total of all chemical reaction activities which occur a thermodynamic system; in which a 'system' may be defined as: a cell, an organism, a human molecular orbital, a bonded combination of human molecular orbitals, a group, a school, an organization, a social structure, a country, etc. [4].

Mind: a carbon-based transition state neuro-molecular construct of shape and order imposed upon by the flux of experience.

[4] Bailey, J. & Ollis, D. (1997). Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals, 2nd. Ed. (textbook). New York: McGraw-Hill Inc.

[6] Chang, R. (1998). Chemisty, 6th. Ed. (textbook). New York: McGraw-Hill.

This glossary of human thermodynamic terms is a work-in-progress; please feel free to send e-mail, make requests, corrections, etc., on any and all issues, questions, or editions, etc. Thank-you.

Molecule: an aggregate of at least two atoms in a definite arrangement held together by one or more of the four fundamental forces [6]. The shape of any molecule is characterized by the 90% probability region of its electron orbital cloud, averaged over time. For example, below we see the 'shape' of the three-element terpene molecule Atisane Diterpene, in orbital model (left), atomic stick-n-ball model (center), and 2-D model (right):

By most standards, molecules are divided into several categories, grouped via elemental composition:

1. Small Molecules: ones comprising 3 elements or less [as: water, glucose, ribose, etc.]

2. Large Molecules: ones comprising 4-8 elements [as: urea, RNA, Coenzyme A, etc.]

3. Supra Molecules: ones comprising 9-30 elements [as: pro-bacteria, worms, a human-molecule, etc.]

4. Mega Molecules: ones comprising 31-70 elements [as: a tectonic plate, a body of water, etc.]

5. Planetary Molecules: ones comprising 70-118 elements [as: an earth-molecule, Mars, Jupiter, etc.]

6. Solar Molecules: ones comprising 80-118 elements [as: the solar-system, Capela-system, Naos, etc.]

7. Galactic Molecules: ones comprising 92-118 elements [as: the milky-way, Andromeda, M51, etc.]

Molecular Orbital: a solution of the Schrodinger equation that describes the probable location [typically 90%] of an electron relative to the nuclei in a molecule and so indicates the nature of any bond in which the electron is involved; for example H2O (below):