Q55.1-3CC - Campbell Biology

Question

Use the second law of thermodynamics to explain why an ecosystem’s energy supply must be continually replenished.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

According to the second law of thermodynamics, entropy increases when the form of energy changes. The statement means that there is some amount of energy loss as heat to its surroundings during any transformation reaction. 

When there is a continuous loss of energy within an ecosystem and energy is necessary regularly, it should be filled back continuously to maintain the stability of the ecosystem.

Step 1: Ecosystem

The ecosystem is the area in which the living organism interacts with each other and with the non-living environmental factors. An ecosystem has members that are dependent on each other, and almost all ecosystems are interconnected.

Ecosystem examples include terrestrial ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems.

Step 2: Thermodynamics in an ecosystem

The law of thermodynamics can be related to the ecosystem. The law of thermodynamics states that energy can neither be created nor be destroyed, which means energy in an ecosystem is always preserved and is constantly changing forms.

This law also states that there is a loss of energy during any changing reaction. Hence, during any transformation process in an ecosystem, there will be an entropy loss (energy loss).

Step 3: Second law of thermodynamics and ecosystem

According to the second law of thermodynamics, the energy is lost during transformation, and energy is always conserved. And in the ecosystem, energy is in constant need. Thus, the replenishment of energy is a must so that the ecosystem can sustain itself.