Measuring Metabolic rates

Measuring Energy Loss During Metabolic Activities




Introduction

All living things need energy to survive. The main source of energy is the sun. First law of thermodynamics states that energy can be changed but it cannot be destroyed. For an organism to obtain energy, an energy transfer must occur. During the energy transfer from a producer to a herbivore waste energy is produced in the form of heat.

The second law of thermodynamics states that during any useful energy change some energy is converted into unusable forms, particularly heat. A producer converts energy from the sun into glucose. The producer then breaks down the glucose to make ATP. When the producer manufactures ATP, energy in the form of heat is produced.

During germination there are more chemical reactions occu...