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

Mixed mitral stenosis and regurgitation, Mixed Mitral Stenosis and Regurgit...

Mixed Mitral Stenosis and Regurgitation The most common cause for a combined lesion is rheumatic, Very rarely; it could be of congenital origin. Regurgitation in a stenotic val

Define the term - soil heterogeneity, Define the term - soil heterogeneity ...

Define the term - soil heterogeneity The ratings seem rather arbitrary and empirical but are meant to get a reasonable yield. Outputs for different doses of fertilizers are obt

Metabolism of phenylalanine, The metabolism of phenylalanine will now be ta...

The metabolism of phenylalanine will now be taken in some detail, as two inborn errors of metabolism are known which affect this pathway. The Phenylalanine is 1st hydroxylated by p

Explain basic concepts of nutrition science, Explain Basic Concepts of Nutr...

Explain Basic Concepts of Nutrition Science? Food is the very basis of our life, the food we eat, though the process of digestion, we know, is converted into nutrients, and the

What are the cytochromes, Q. What are the cytochromes? Cytochromes are ...

Q. What are the cytochromes? Cytochromes are proteins of the interior mitochondrial membrane that are specialized in electron transfer and participate in the respiratory chain.

Zoology assignment, topics for zoology assignment for plus one

topics for zoology assignment for plus one

Explain the alpha-helix and the beta-sheet protein, Normal 0 fa...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Describe the functionality of pectin, Functionality Pectins are mainly ...

Functionality Pectins are mainly used as gelling agents, but can also act as a  thickener, water binder and stabilizer. Low methoxyl pectins ( 2+ ions. Highly acetylated pecti

VIRUSES, ARE VIRUSES CELLULAR ORGANISMS?

ARE VIRUSES CELLULAR ORGANISMS?

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