Answered

Plants and animals absorb energy to build large, complex molecules, which seems to concentrate energy rather than disperse it. How is this possible?


ALarge biological molecules have higher entropy than simpler components.
BLiving systems can decrease their entropy while increasing the entropy of the surroundings.
CLiving systems are exceptions to the second law of thermodynamics.

Verified Answer :

Final answer:

Living organisms concentrate energy by creating complex molecules while increasing the entropy of their surroundings. This aligns with the second law of thermodynamics, which states that total entropy must increase. The process highlights how life interacts with energy and the environment.


Explanation:

Understanding Energy Concentration in Living Organisms


Plants and animals indeed absorb energy to create complex molecules, a process which may seem to conflict with the idea that energy naturally disperses. To grasp how living systems concentrate energy, we should consider the following:



  1. Large biological molecules have higher entropy than simpler components. This option is incorrect because large molecules typically represent a more ordered state, which is lower in entropy compared to their simpler, component parts.

  2. Living systems can decrease their entropy while increasing the entropy of the surroundings. This statement accurately describes how organisms operate. While they create order (complex molecules) internally, they do so by transferring energy to their surroundings, often in the form of heat, thus increasing the overall entropy of the universe.

  3. Living systems are exceptions to the second law of thermodynamics. This statement is misleading. While it might seem like living beings violate this law by creating order, they actually comply with it by exchanging energy and matter with their environment.


In conclusion, the correct answer is the second option: living systems can decrease their entropy while increasing the entropy of the surroundings. This is a vital aspect of energy transformation in biological systems, supporting life processes.


Learn more about Energy in Biological Systems here:

https://brainly.com/question/36348196


Related Questions