Laws of

Thermodynamics
 Thermodynamics is a branch of physics that deals with
the relationships between heat and other forms of energy.
 In particular it describes how thermal energy is converted
to and from other forms of energy and how it affects
matter.
 Deals with how energy is transferred in natural process.
It deals with the relation between heat ,work and energy.
 Heat- is the transfer or flow of energy as a result
of temperature difference.
 Work is transfer of energy that is not due to a
difference in temperature.
 Both heat and work are important kinds of
energy transfer in organisms and the ecosystem.
First Law of Thermodynamics
 Is a principle of physics that
recognizes that energy is conserved.
 In biological context, the principle is
stated as “Energy may be transferred
or transformed, but is not lost.”
Second Law of Thermodynamics
 Is a principle of physics that recognizes that with
each successive transfer or transformation, less
energy is available for work.
 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.”
 ENTROPY- Is defined as
“a measure of the disorder
or randomness in a closed
system.”
HOMEOSTASIS
 From the Greek term which literally means
 “ to stand equally” refers to the dynamic
balance in a living ecosystem.
 The ability to maintain a relatively stable
internal state that persists despite changes in
the world outside.
 Walter Cannon
coined the term
“Homeostasis”
in 1920s.
 Successful homeostasis is vital to the
survival of any living thing, and being
able to maintain homeostasis even in
adverse conditions is one of the most
important evolutionary advantages.
Energy Flow through Ecosystems

 Energy Pyramid- a graphical

model of energy flow in a
community. The levels represent
different groups of organisms that
might compose a food chain.
 Producers- bring energy from non-living
sources into the community.
 Primary consumers- eat the producers, which
make them herbivores in most communities.
 Secondary Consumers- eat the primary
consumers, which makes them carnivores
 Tertiary consumers- eat the secondary
consumers
 The 10% Transfer
 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 that the herbivores accumulate ends up being
stored in the living tissues of the carnivores that eat
them. And only 10% of energy is successfully
converted into living tissues by carnivores/omnivores
on the third trophic level.
 FOOD CHAIN
 It is an easy way to diagram the flow of energy in a
community.
 Organisms in food chains are grouped into categories
called trophic levels.
 these levels are divided into producers (first trophic
level), consumers (second, third, and fourth trophic levels),
and decomposers.
 Producers, also known as autotrophs, make their own food.
They make up the first level of every food chain. Autotrophs
are usually plants or one-celled organisms. Nearly all
autotrophs use a process called photosynthesis to create
“food” (a nutrient called glucose) from sunlight, carbon
dioxide, and water.
 The second trophic level consists of organisms that eat the
producers. These are called primary consumers, or herbivores.
Deer, turtles, and many types of birds are herbivores. Secondary
consumers eat the herbivores. Tertiary consumers eat the
secondary consumers. There may be more levels of consumers
before a chain finally reaches its top predator. Top predators, also
called apex predators, eat other consumers.
 Consumers can be carnivores (animals that eat other animals)
or omnivores (animals that eat both plants and animals).
Omnivores, like people, consume many types of foods. 
 Detritivores and decomposers are the final part of food
chains. Detritivores are organisms that eat nonliving plant
and animal remains. For example, scavengers such as
vultures eat dead animals. Dung beetles eat animal feces.
 Decomposers like fungi and bacteria complete the food
chain. They turn organic wastes, such as decaying plants,
into inorganic materials, such as nutrient-rich soil.
Decomposers complete the cycle of life, returning nutrients
to the soil or oceans for use by autotrophs. This starts a
whole new food chain. 
 FOOD WEB
 All the food chain in an ecosystem are interconnected and are represented by a food web.
Food web shows the interdependence among organisms. A food web for an ecosystem is
very complex.
 Arrows in the food chain or food web,
represent the flow of energy. The
placement of the arrows in a food chain or
food web is very important. The arrows
always show the direction of the energy as
it transferred from organism to another.