Life pays universe a ‘heat tax’ to run precise chemical reactions

Recent research has unveiled that biological processes release significantly more heat than what thermodynamic principles would predict. This excess energy, often referred to as a 'heat tax,' plays a crucial role in enabling cells to sustain the intricate chemical reactions necessary for life. The findings suggest that this additional heat is not merely a byproduct of cellular activity but an essential component that supports the complex chemistry required for survival. Understanding these mechanisms sheds light on the fundamental principles of life and may have implications for various fields, including biochemistry and evolutionary biology.