Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32162-592-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 15 - The Laws of Thermodynamics - Questions - Page 437: 20

Answer

No. Organisms are part of a larger system which continues to increase in entropy.

Work Step by Step

It is true that living organisms become more complex and structured, decreasing in entropy. However, the organism is not a closed system, and its environment must be considered. For example, organisms ingest structured food and expel fecal matter that is much less ordered. The system consisting of the organism and its environment will increase in entropy. The second law is satisfied, because the overall entropy of the system increases.
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