Discuss how the second law of thermodynamics applies to food chains/webs. Be sur

Question

Discuss how the second law of thermodynamics applies to food chains/webs. Be sure to include a discussion of trophic levels in your answer.

What role do genetic mutations play in evolution? Include an example in your answer.

What are endemic species? Why are they more vulnerable to extinction than other species?

What is carrying capacity? What factors might keep a population from reaching its carrying capacity? What are the possible outcomes when a population exceeds its carrying capacity?

What is ecological succession? Explain the basic difference between primary and secondary ecological succession.

Explanation / Answer

The second law of thermodynamics states that whenever energy is transformed there is loss of energy in the form of heat, plants trap solar energy and convert it to chemical energy, some loss of energy is there at this level, but with every next level in the food chain only 10 percent of the energy is transformed which justifies second law of thermodynamics.

Mutation is change in DNA the hereditary material of life. genetic mutations play an supportive role on evolution i.e. for the betterment of the species, in order for them to survive,

for ex. the long neck of giraffe is an example of genetic mutation when there was no food which was ion reachable limits and the animal started eating food on high trees ,with time mutation took place and animal with long necks was born.

Endemic species areplants and animals that exist only in one geographic region,Species can be endemic to large or small area of the earth, some might be endemic to an island and some to a continent. They are more vulnerable to extinction because of the limit that they are found only in one area and if because of habitat loss they are extinct from a place then they are gone , they can't be brought back, unlike the case with other animals, forexample if tigers are degrading from one place then you can bring tigers from other part of the wrold , mate them and help them to prosper, but this option is not with endemic species.

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of people, animals or crops which a region can support withouur environmental degradation.Factors like low food supply and lack of space or any nmatural disaster can cause a population from reaching its carrying capacity.If a population exceeds its carrying capacity then there will be lack of resources , improper life style, and low standard of life, and then automatically the population will start to decrease because due to lack of resources people will die and automatically the balacne wouldbe achieved.

Ecological succession refers to the process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time.Succession is caused by the change in ecosystem and its impact on the species and their enviropnment.

Main difference between primary and secondary succession is that primary succession occurs in essentially lifeless areas , where soil is incapable of sustaining life, where as secondary succession is a responce to a disturbance like forest fire, tsunami or flood.i.e in those areas where a community was existing previously and is destroyed by natural causes.

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