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

Explain the food digestion in protozoans, In some protozoans, food is alway...

In some protozoans, food is always ingested at the same place on cell surface, cytostome (cell mouth). Undigested food is removed at a cytoproct, or cell anus. All of this is simil

Protozoan , justify the claim that paramecium is the highly evolved protozo...

justify the claim that paramecium is the highly evolved protozoan basing on the morphological and physiological features .

Types of mode of nutrition, what is the mode of nutrition of fungi,bacteria...

what is the mode of nutrition of fungi,bacteria and man

Digestive system - tongue, TONGU E - On the tongue 4 types of p...

TONGU E - On the tongue 4 types of papillae are present. (i) Filliform - Filliform papillae are most abundant and have no taste bunds. Filliform papillae

Can you explain yersinia enterocolitica gastroenteritis, Q. Can you explain...

Q. Can you explain Yersinia Enterocolitica Gastroenteritis? Yersiniosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium of the genus Yersinia. Most human illness is caus

The principle of dna cloning, Assume an experimental target that is to make...

Assume an experimental target that is to make vast amounts of a particular DNA fragment in pure form from a combination of DNA fragments.  Whereas the DNA fragments can be introduc

State the term in broad - lunule, State the term in broad - Lunule. In ...

State the term in broad - Lunule. In sand dollars, notches or holes which pass through the body of the animal. Their function is not fully understood though may be involved in

Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, Q. Explain about Non Insulin Depen...

Q. Explain about Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus? Overweight and obese adults are generally afflicted by this type of diabetes. The insulin produced by the pancreas is

Distribution of stomata, Distribution of Stomata There are two paramet...

Distribution of Stomata There are two parameters normally used for expressing the distribution of stomata. Stomatal frequency: The number of stomata per unit area

Pollination, how pollination occurs in Salvia?

how pollination occurs in Salvia?

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