The terms Q and K refer to reaction components at non-equilibrium and equilibrium conditions, respectively. For a forward reaction to be favored in a living cell, which of the following statements describes the relationship between Q and K?
a. The value of Q must be less than that of K.
b. The value of K must be less than that of Q.
c. No conclusion can be drawn about Q and K for a favorable process.
d. Cells are at equilibrium so none of the above statements is true

The value of Q must be less than that of K.

Explanation:

The difference of K and Q can be understood with the help of an example as follows

         A ⇄ B

In this reaction A is converted into B but after some A is converted , forward reaction stops At this point , let equilibrium concentration of B be [B] and let equilibrium concentration of A be [A]

In this case ratio of  [B] and  [A]  that is

K =  [B] / [A] which is called equilibrium constant.

But if we measure the concentration of A and B ,before equilibrium is reached , then the ratio of the concentration of A and B will be called Q. As reaction continues concentration of A increases and concentration of B decreases. Hence Q tends to be equal to K.

Q = [B] / [A] . It is clear that Q < K before equilibrium.

If Q < K , reaction will proceed towards equilibrium or forward reaction will

proceed .

the answer is c

tell me if wrong

the answer is b because, investigating whether another species of moth also drinks tears might be interesting, but it would not directly explain why this species of moth does.

to explain why this species of moth drinks tears, the scientist could ask: "what nutrients that moths need are in elephant tears? "

the scientist could experiment with moth repellent or oter ways to keep the moths away, but that would not answer his original question.