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 the ploidy of these gamete-forming cells, What is the name of the c...

What is the name of the cells capable of making gametes? What is the ploidy of these gamete-forming cells? The cells that form gametes are the germ cells as opposed to the soma

What is the requirements of dental implants, Requirements of Dental implant...

Requirements of Dental implants Dental implants require special oral hygiene techniques. The particular technique chosen often depends upon the prosthesis.  A removable prosth

Define historical example of virulence, Define Historical example of virule...

Define Historical example of virulence? The "classical dogma" of epidemiologists was that pathogens all the time evolve in the direction of lower virulence, eventually becoming

Explain direct microscopic count - measurement of microbes, Explain Direct ...

Explain Direct Microscopic Count - Measurement of Microbes? The most obvious way to determine microbial number is through direct counting under a microscope. In this method, a

Nastic and epinastic responses, Nastic and Epinastic Responses Parato...

Nastic and Epinastic Responses Paratonic variation movements of plant parts in which direction of movement is independent of the direction of stimulus. Nastic responses are l

Pathophysiology and assessment of purpura, Pathophysiolog y   Normal...

Pathophysiolog y   Normally the platelets are formed from megakaryocytes (stem cells) in the.  bone marrow. These cells mature, fragment and are released in  the blood strea

Role of glucocorticoids in controlling gene expression, Define Role of Gluc...

Define Role of Glucocorticoids in controlling gene expression? Glucocorticoids are another class of hormones involved in the regulation of lipogenic enzymes, but their role in

Which equipments are required for stress laboratory, The stress lab must ha...

The stress lab must have the following equipment: 1) A mercury Blood Pressure apparatus. 2) A Bed so that the patients ECG can be recorded in the recovery period in supine po

Show the principle parts of a mold, Q. Show the principle parts of a mold? ...

Q. Show the principle parts of a mold? The principle parts of a mold are a web-like structure known as mycelium and the spore. The mycelium is often white and cottony and penet

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