DAVID W. BALL (1961 - )

“The principles of thermodynamics are applicable even to the complex reactions ... occur in living cells.  The topic of equilibrium is also applicable, even though living cells are not isolated or even closed systems.  First, we should point out the seldom-recognized idea ... most chemical reactions in cells are not at chemical equilibrium.  If an organism or cell were at chemical equilibrium, it would be dead!”  [From Physical Chemistry (Ball, 2003), pp. 135-136].