Living organisms increase in complexity as they grow, resulting in a decrease in the entropy of an organism. How does this relate to the second law of thermodynamics?
A) Living organisms do not obey the second law of thermodynamics, which states that entropy must increase with time.
B) Life obeys the second law of thermodynamics because the decrease in entropy as the organism grows is exactly balanced by an increase in the entropy of the universe.
C) Living organisms do not follow the laws of thermodynamics.
D) As a consequence of growing, organisms cause a greater increase in entropy in their environment than the decrease in entropy associated with their growth.
E) Living organisms are able to transform energy into entropy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of a closed system must increase over time. Although living organisms seem to contradict this law by decreasing their own entropy as they grow, they also create an increase in entropy in their environment by consuming resources and producing waste. The overall entropy of the system (organism + environment) still increases. Therefore, choice D is the best answer.

Living Organisms Increase in Complexity as They Grow, Resulting in a Decrease