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

Potassium ions maintain the resting potential of neuron, Q. How do the pota...

Q. How do the potassium and sodium ions maintain the resting potential of the neuron? The plasma membrane of the neuron when at rest maintains an electric potential difference

Reproductive cycles, Normal 0 false false false EN-IN ...

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

How does the federal government regulate plant-incorporated, How does the f...

How does the federal government regulate plant-incorporated protectants and ensure their safe use in foods? EPA regulates the manufacture, sale and use of pesticides, containin

Controlling expression of a number of genes in e, he Lac Repressor protein,...

he Lac Repressor protein, which we will talk about a bit later in the course, is important for controlling expression of a number of genes in E. coli. There are about 10 copies of

What is the formula is to determinate such number?, Considering the indepen...

Considering the independent segregation of all factors, how many types of gametes does a VvXXWwYyzz individual produce? What is the formula is to determinate such number? The m

Describe genetic recombination , Describe Genetic Recombination ? Genet...

Describe Genetic Recombination ? Genetic recombination, which provides the variation necessary for evolution, can occur through a variety of processes during cell reproduction:

Illustrate temporal digital subtraction radiography, Q. Illustrate Temporal...

Q. Illustrate Temporal digital subtraction radiography? Temporal digital subtraction radiography (SR) is a radiographic technique that enable two radiographs made at different

Juxtaglomerular apparatus, Normal 0 false false false E...

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

Automated dna sequencing, Automated DNA sequencing is now common place whic...

Automated DNA sequencing is now common place which is based on the chain termination method but using a fluorescent dye attached to an oligonucleotide primer instead of using radio

Advantage & disadvantage of using fungi as source of protein, Define Advant...

Define Advantage & disadvantage of using fungi as source of protein? Advantages 1. Easy to harvest from culture medium. 2. Texture of the fungi improves the functional

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