Subject Code & Name: BT25302 – Biothermodynamics
Regulation: R-2025
Semester: III (Third Semester)
Branch: B.Tech. Biotechnology (Biotech)
Credits / L-T-P: 3 Credits | L-T-P: 2-1-0
Course Objectives
- • To understand thermodynamics principles and their application to biological systems, including fluids, solutions, equilibria, and bioenergetics in metabolic pathways.
Full Unit-wise Syllabus
Unit I – Introduction to Thermodynamics
Thermodynamic Systems and State Functions- Laws of Thermodynamics -Enthalpy and Entropy in Biological Contexts: Real Fluids and Non-Ideal behavior: Thermodynamic Relationships: thermodynamic potentials-Maxwell’s relations: Gibbs Free Energy and Biochemical Reactions.
Activities: Classify cell components as open, closed, or isolated systems based on energy and matter exchange, Compare energy balance in running and resting by identifying heat loss and work done.
Unit II – Thermodynamics of Solutions and Biochemical Mixtures
Thermophysical Properties of Liquids and Solutions: Ideal and Non-Ideal behavior of Gases and Solutions: Partial Molar Properties and Their Biochemical Significance: Chemical Potential-Fugacity- Activities and Activities Coefficients - Gibbs - Duhem Equation in Multicomponent Systems.
Activities: Classify solutions as ideal or non-ideal based on intermolecular interactions, Observe osmosis in biological samples to understand water movement due to concentration gradient.
Unit III – Phase Equilibria
Fundamentals of Phase Equilibrium and Stability- Phase Diagrams and Phase Rule: Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium (VLE)- VLE Data and Consistency Checks: Azeotropes- Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium (LLE)- Solid-Liquid Equilibria.
Activities: Interpret phase diagrams by identifying stable regions, triple and critical points, Observe vapor–liquid equilibrium during distillation to understand liquid–vapor composition changes.
Unit IV – Chemical Reaction Equilibria
Fundamentals of Chemical Reaction Equilibrium- Equilibrium Constant and Its Evaluation- Effect of Temperature and Pressure- Equilibrium Conversion and Yield Calculations: Multiple Reactions- Reaction Equilibria in Biochemical Systems.
Activities: Study equilibrium shifts by changing concentration or temperature and explain them using Le Chatelier’s principle, Calculate equilibrium constants to predict reaction direction.
Unit V – Thermo-Bioenergetics
Thermodynamics of Metabolic Pathways: Oxygen Demand and Heat Generation in Aerobic Growth: Energy Coupling and ATP Economy: Thermodynamics of Redox Reactions- Bioenergetics of Macromolecular Interactions: Systems and Synthetic Biology Perspective.
Activities: Identify energy-releasing, ATP-producing, and redox steps in metabolic pathways, Examine ATP use in muscle contraction and active transport, focusing on energy coupling.
Course Outcomes (COs)
- CO1: Apply the thermodynamic concepts to biological systems. Analyze the thermodynamic behaviour of.
- CO2: Ideal and non ideal fluids and solutions including partial molar properties and chemical potential Interpret phase equilibria using phase.
- CO3: Diagrams and apply phase rules to biochemical and multicomponent systems.
- CO4: Evaluate chemical reaction equilibria equilibrium constants, and the effects of COs CO Mapping environmental conditions on biochemical reaction systems.
- CO5: Assess energy transformations in metabolic pathways, including redox reactions, ATP coupling, and thermodynamic efficiency in biological processes.
Assessment Pattern (Quick Note)
- Weightage: Continuous Assessment 40% | End Semester Examinations 60%
- Internal methodology: Assignments (15%), Solving of competitive exams questions (15%), Internal Examinations (70%)
Source: Official Anna University – B.Tech. Biotechnology R-2025 Curriculum
Last Updated: September 2026
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