What is Energy?

Energy

the ability to do work or cause change within biological systems, and it is essential for all life processes.

• work - movement of matter

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy cannot be created a destroyed; energy is only transformed from one form to another

• two types/forms

Kinetic energy

Energy in motion

Potential energy

energy stored based on the position of matter

• chemical energy - a type of potential energy stored in molecules based on position of atoms in molecules

Second Law of Thermodynamics

With every energy transformation, the quality og energy decreases because entropy of the system increases

Entropy

Randomness or disorder in the system

• higher entropy = lower potential energy in the system

Law of Conservation of Matter

Matter cannot be created or destroyed, as organisms simply rearrange atoms, changing matter from one form to another

• matter is recycled

• ex. photosynthesis and cellular respiration