Energy flow in an eco-systems, Biology

Assignment Help:

The capacity to do work is known as energy. In an ecosystem energy flows through one organism to another in the form of food. The flow of energy is uni-direction and non cycle and governed by laws of thermodynamics.

1.       Energy can neither be created nor can be destroyed but may convert into different forms.

2.       Energy Transfer is always accompanied by its dispersion. The second law of thermodynamics says that when energy is changed from one form to another, some of it is lost in the form of heat.

In an ecosystem the solar energy is trapped and stored by; producers (plants) in the form of chemical energy: producers form first trophic level and pass this energy to primary consumer is unidirectional and at successive trophic level the amount of energy decreases.

Green plants capture only a small fraction of solar energy(<5% of total solar radiation) and bulk of un-utilized energy is dissipated in the form of heat. Some of this energy is used by green plants for their respiration and maintenance and rest is convened into food which is eaten by herbivores. It has been estimated that herbivores use only 10% of the gross productivity of producers.

The herbivories use a part of this energy for their growth and maintenance and rest is given out as fecal matter. When carnivores eat herbivores they get only 10% of herbivores energy. The net energy keeps on decreasing with the increase of trophic level.

Only 10% of energy of a trophic level is transferred to higher trophic level. This is known as 10% law.

 

 


Related Discussions:- Energy flow in an eco-systems

What is splitin first heart sound, What is Splitin first heart sound ? ...

What is Splitin first heart sound ? In complete RBBB, due to delay of tricuspid closure, the split is wide. In complete LBBB, due to delay of mitral closure the S I is single.

Cytokinesis, Cytokinesis It is defined  as the division or cleavage  of...

Cytokinesis It is defined  as the division or cleavage  of cytoplasmic  part   of the cells  into  two  daughter  cells. It is first  indicated   during  late  anaphase  by app

Endocine organ, #question.endocrine organ in crustaceans

#question.endocrine organ in crustaceans

Neo-lamarckism, NEO-LAMARCKISM Modem modified form of Lamarck theory...

NEO-LAMARCKISM Modem modified form of Lamarck theory is regarded as Neo-Lamarckism. Mc Dougall (1938) found that time taken for training the mice was reducing gradually

Zoonoses disease-transmissible spongif orm encephalopathies, Transmissible ...

Transmissible spongif orm encephalopathies Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs, also called Prion diseases) are fatal neurodegenerative diseases such as scrapie of

Mode of nutrition , What is the mode of nutrition in fish,human,amoeba,scor...

What is the mode of nutrition in fish,human,amoeba,scorpian & toad

Name the group of fungi which belong to fermentation, Truffles, morels and ...

Truffles, morels and the many yeasts that are basic to fermentation processes belong to this group of fungi. These fung are termed as: a) Phycomycetes b) Ascomycetes c)

Respiratory system, whats the difference in respiratory system in mammals,r...

whats the difference in respiratory system in mammals,reptilia and amphibian?

Determine the bioavailability of minerals, Bioavailability of Minerals ...

Bioavailability of Minerals It is well known that the concentration of a nutrient in a food is not a reliable indicator of its nutritional value. In other words, the entire qua

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd