During a study of metabolic processes, a researcher analyzes a cell's thermodynamic properties. The cell operates under conditions characteristic of a closed system where no matter can enter or leave, but energy can be exchanged with the surroundings. The researcher notes that during a certain metabolic pathway, the cell absorbs heat while undertaking a chemical reaction that is endothermic. If the system follows the principles of the first law of thermodynamics, which statement correctly describes the relationship between internal energy, heat transfer, and work done by the system?

Consider the first law of thermodynamics, expressed as: ΔU = Q - W, where ΔU is the change in internal energy, Q is the heat absorbed by the system, and W is the work done by the system.