Lesson 1 - Ecosystem

MATTER, ENERGY AND LIFE IN ECOSYSTEM
Cells, organisms and the ecosystem are living systems, demonstrating influx, outflux and utilization of
specific atoms and energy.
The metabolic processes of organisms are link to global chemical cycling of water, carbon, nitrogen,
phosphorus, sulfur, and other substances. Matter tends to be cycled within the ecosystem, nut energy
flows through, requiring constant replenishment to maintain the system.
MATTER AND ENERGY EXCHANGES
The principles of conservation of matter and thermodynamics provide a basis for understanding the
dynamic interactions of matter and energy in living systems, from the cellular to ecosystem levels.
CONSERVATION OF MATTER
Matter is used over and over again. It is Transformed and combined in different ways, but it doesn’t
disappear. The most common recycled components of ecosystem are the biological molecules that are
composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and other elements required by cells.
Conservation of matter has a direct bearing of human relationship with the biosphere. We use natural
resources to produce an incredible amount of disposable consumer goods. But after using these goods,
where do we dispose of them? Do we have enough dumpsites for our garbage? Your one-on-one
interaction with our environment is related to the conservation of matter. The use of Styrofoam cups,
plastic bags and other items made of complex synthetic aggravate the garbage problem. Significantly,
these things virtually become major and permanent pollutants.
THERMODYNAMICS AND ENERGY TRANSFER
The study of thermodynamics deals with how energy is transferred in natural processes. It deals
specifically with the relationships of heat, work and energy.
Ecosystem dynamics are governed by physical laws, including the law of conservation of matter and laws
of thermodynamics. The recycling of matter is the basis of the cycles that occur in the ecosystem.
However, compared to matter, energy does not cycle
In the Ecosystem, Solar energy enters the system and is converted to chemical energy through the
process of photosynthesis. The chemical energy stored in the bonds that hold the food molecules
together is available for the metabolism of organism.
Matter and Energy are processed through the tropic levels of an ecosystem via food chains and food
webs. Each energy transfer point, less energy is available to do work. So, energy must be supplied to an
ecosystem continuously. The relationships between the producers and consumers in an ecosystem,
often depicted as pyramids, demonstrate this principle. Most of the energy that enters an ecosystem,
can be traced back to the sun.
The dynamic balance or homeostasis of organisms and ecosystems centers around an optimum stage
that is best suited for the healthy existence of the living system. The biological system shows an active
condition of compensating adjustments.
The principle of conservation of matter, thermodynamics and homeostasis are demonstrated in the
ways of organisms interact in material cycles in the ecosystem. Water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen,
phosphorus and sulfur, for instance, are recycled in the ecosystem.
The biosphere is a source of large quantities of essential elements in a given ecosystem. These elements
are constantly released by living organisms.
LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS
Thermodynamics deals with how energy is transferred in a natural process. It deals with the relationship
between heat, energy and work.
Heat is transfer or flow of energy as a result of temperature difference.
Work is transfer of energy that is not due to a difference of temperature.
Both heat and work are important kinds of energy transfer in organisms and the ecosystem.
1. FIRST LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS – is a principle of physics that recognizes that energy is

conserved. Energy may be transferred in to a system, and as a result, there is a change in energy within
the system. It may be transformed or changed from one form to another. In the Biological context, the
principle is stated as “energy may be transferred or transformed, but is not lost.”
2. SECOND LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS – is a principle of physics that recognize that with each
successive energy transfer or transformation, less energy is available for work. Energy tends to be
degraded or dissipated from a useful form to a less useful form, usually heat. This is an energy of
“expenditures”, the “cost” for doing work. There is a tendency in a natural process to go from a state
order, or high-quality energy (work energy), toward a state of increasing disorder, or low-quality energy.
The second law recognizes the general trend toward disorder(entropy) and deals with the universal
degradation of matter and energy. It can be summarized crudely as “left to themselves, things tend to
degenerate.”
HOMEOSTASIS
Homeostasis (from the Greek term which literally means “to stand equally”) refers to the dynamic
balance in a living ecosystem. When a living system is active, rather than static, the conditions in it
change continuously in response to many environmental stimuli. It is a condition of fluctuating balance
centered on some ideal state optimum. This dynamic balance is maintained by active and opposing
adjustments and compensation.
ENERGY FLOW THROUGH ECOSYSTEM
The movement of energy through a living system is essential to the understanding in ecology. Beginning
with the capture of sunlight by primary producers, energy flows through food chains and food webs in a
steady ‘one-way stream’/ as it flows, energy is alternately stored and used to power the life processes of
animals through which moves.
The energy captured by producers and consumers is temporarily stored until one organism eats
another. Each of this storage steps along the food chains or food web is called a trophic level. The
producers represent the first trophic level; herbivores, occupy the second; carnivores that eat
herbivores form the third trophic level, and so on.
There are practical limitations in trophic levels. Every time one organism eats another, only a small
fraction of energy present in the lower trophic level is stored in the next higher level. Using the
ecological rule of 10 or the 10% rule, an average of only about 10% of energy fixed by plants is
ultimately stored by herbivores. Only 10% of the energy of that herbivores accumulate ends up being
stored in the living tissues of carnivores that eat them. And only 10% of that energy is successfully
converted into living tissues by carnivores on the third trophic level. This inefficient energy chains are
called ecological pyramids.

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MATTER, ENERGY AND LIFE IN ECOSYSTEM

MATTER AND ENERGY EXCHANGES

THERMODYNAMICS AND ENERGY TRANSFER

Heat is transfer or flow of energy as a result of temperature difference.

Work is transfer of energy that is not due to a difference of temperature.

1. FIRST LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS – is a principle of physics that recognizes that energy is

ENERGY FLOW THROUGH ECOSYSTEM

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