Question

What law of thermodynamics explains why only a fraction of the energy ingested by organism A is used in making new cells or growing?

• A. The first law of thermodynamics, which states that matter is never created or destroyed
• B. The first law of thermodynamics which deals with conservation of energy
• C. The second law of thermodynamics, which explains that all systems seek entropy
• D. The second law of thermodynamics which deals with the conservation of momentum in a physical system

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

The first law of thermodynamics which deals with conservation of energy

As per the first law of thermodynamics energy is converted into different forms but is not destroyed. When food is ingested by an organism it is utilized for various cellular respiration, formation of ATP, waste material and also lost as heat, so all of it cannot be utilized only for growth of cell or growing

So, the correct answer is 'The first law of thermodynamics which deals with conservation of energy'