Given below are two statements : Statement I: In ecosystem, there is unidirectionalflow of energy of sun from producers to consumers.Statement II: Ecosystems are exempted from 2ndlaw of thermodynamics.In the light of the above statements, choose the mostappropriate answer from the options given below:

Answer

Analysis of Statements

Statement I:

“In ecosystem, there is unidirectional flow of energy of sun from producers to consumers.”

✅ Correct.

In an ecosystem, energy from the sun is captured by producers (like green plants) via photosynthesis. This energy flows to primary consumers (herbivores), then to secondary and tertiary consumers. At every trophic level, some energy is lost as heat. Hence, the flow is unidirectional and not cyclic.

Statement II:

“Ecosystems are exempted from 2nd law of thermodynamics.”

❌ Incorrect.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that energy transformations increase the entropy (disorder) of a system. Ecosystems are not exempt from this law. They require a continuous supply of energy (mainly solar) to maintain their organized state and counteract entropy. As stated: “Ecosystems are not exempt from the Second Law of thermodynamics… to counteract the universal tendency toward increasing disorderliness.”

✅ Correct Answer: Option (3)

Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect.

Summary Table